The Downside of Dachshunds

Love & Pets #3

by A.G. Henley

She hates him and he hates her dachshunds. It's a doggone showdown.

After years of soul-sucking tech sales work, Isabel Costa and her best friend Adelaide Miller are chasing their dream of operating a successful dude ranch in the Colorado mountains. If only they knew what they were doing. To make the Lazy Dog Ranch profitable, Isa and Addie need a great head wrangler and a VIP guest to spread the good word.

Tobias Coleman is an experienced wrangler and single dad who needs quality health care for his son. He takes the job at Lazy Dog despite disapproving of almost everything about the place, like the amateur owners and their three dippy dachshunds, the disco-obsessed head housekeeper, and the accident-prone kitchen staff. Not to mention the high and mighty guests.

Isa equally dislikes cold and serious Tobias, but when an A-list actress visits the ranch, Isa and Tobias have to work together to make her stay a smashing success. When doxies and disco, Hollywood and horses collide, is there any room for love?

Find out in this new enemies to lovers romance in the “quirky, hilarious, endearing” Love & Pets sweet romantic comedy series by USA Today bestselling author A.G. Henley!

The Love & Pets Series:

1. The Problem with Pugs
2. The Trouble with Tabbies
3. The Downside of Dachshunds
4. The Lessons of Labradors
5. The Predicament of Persians
6. The Conundrum of Collies

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Amazon, Rom Com

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2019

About the author

A.G. Henley is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and fantasy books and stories, including the Love & Pets adult romantic comedy series. The first book in her young adult Brilliant Darkness series, THE SCOURGE, was a Library Journal Self-e Selection and a Next Generation Indie Book Award finalist. She’s also a clinical psychologist, but she promises not to analyze you... much.

Reviews

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3,5 stars

Two women ditched their 9 to 5 jobs and bought a ranch in Colorado. That wasn't their dream exactly, but they wanted to do something. And surprise, surprise that wasn't so easy.

Luckily for them, here HE comes. They are annoyed with each other, they hate each other, they love each other. Or maybe they don't?!

That is for you to discover.

[Catherine Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Downside of Dachshunds was yet another cute love story!! A dude ranch, 2 girl owners of ranch, a cute sexy head wrangler and 3 dachshunds, yep that is a pretty good description of the book. It's a must read and also it's book 3 of Love & Pets series. I cannot wait to see if there is a book 5 lol

[Racheli Zusiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

הספר השלישי בסדרת "אהבה וחיות מחמד" של א.ג. הנלי. קראתי את שני הספרים הקודמים בסדרה: The Problem with Pugs, The Trouble with Tabbies.
איזבל ואדי פרשו מההייטק והחליטו לרכוש חוות סוסים ולנהל אותה כחוות נופש ובית הארחה, עם פעילויות נופש שקשורות לרכיבה על סוסים. בחווה חיים איתן שלושת כלבי התחש של אדי, שגורמים להרבה צרות. טוביאס בא לעבוד בחווה כאחראי הראשי על הסוסים. טוביאס הוא גרוש ואב יחידני לילד חולה סיסטיק פיברוזיס, שהוריו עוזרים לו לגדל. טוביאס ואיזבל לא מסתדרים בהתחלה, אבל זה כמובן משתנה בהמשך... בנוסף לכך, כוכבת קולנוע מפורסמת מגיעה להתארח בחווה, ואיזבל ואדי עושות הכל כדי להנעים את שהותה כדי שתמליץ על החווה וכך העסק שלהן ישגשג. הכוכבת גם נדלקת על טוביאס ואיזבל מתחילה לקנא...
כידוע אני אוהבת ספרים עם דמויות מצחיקות של בעלי חיים. הספר ממש חמוד ומתוק, קליל ומהנה. אמשיך לקרוא עוד ספרים מהסדרה הזו.

[Catarina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enemies-to-lovers to the rescue!!!!

I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first two. I liked Isa and Addie's friendship and how they were working so hard to prove to everyone that their dream of running a successful dude ranch wasn't dumb. I also loved that, in a way, their distinct personalities complimented the other. 

In terms of romance, I liked that Isa and Tobias started off on the wrong foot, but were mature enough to acknowledged that their first impressions of the other weren't well funded, apologized and became friends. Their chemistry was good too, and I also enjoyed all the jealousy and tension with Kate.

[Nik's Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love pets? Love rom coms? This book is for you! This was the first book I read in the Love and Pets series, and I thought it was adorable. Quick and easy. I'll definitely read the others.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever known a dachshund you'll feel right at home in this book. They're the most endearing, adorable, infuriating, frustrating breed in the canine world. And I’m pretty sure head wrangler, Tobias Coleman is right that they don’t belong on a dude ranch and they definitely don’t belong in his barn.

Isa and her best friend Addie have put their heart, soul and savings into the Lazy Dog Ranch, but things aren’t looking good. They need to hire a head wrangler quickly, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a ranch guest who has a lot of social media influence share how terrific the ranch is.

Tobias Coleman has moved back home due to his son's medical needs and he desperately needs the job at the Lazy Dog. The medical benefits are great, but he's not sure he can work for two city women who can’t manage their three unruly dachshunds, much less a dude ranch. Then there’s the fact that every encounter with Isa results in them butting heads. Not the best way to start off with a new employer.

Gah! I adore this story as much as I adored my doxxie who was still performing her Houdini act at eighteen years old, and the three Z's were spot on and the perfect representation of this endearing, adorable, exasperating breed, but I digress. Isa is a phenomenal, feisty, determined heroine, and Tobias is everything we love in a hero – growly and opinionated, protective and big hearted (a single dad *sigh*) and a little too kind for his own good.

There’s certainly never a dull moment here, between canine antics, Tobias and Isa's push and pull and incendiary chemistry, and the delightfully quirky, eternally endearing secondary characters. And OMGee, it all makes me want to visit the Lazy Dog Ranch!

I love this Love and Pets book world more and more with every new couple we're introduced to, and it was wonderful to check in with the previous couples. These stories all stand alone, so the order you read them in really doesn’t matter. Jump in here, or start with your favorite canine or feline, but don’t miss these animal costars with larger-than-life personalities and their humans' heartfelt, humorous, captivating stories!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pocas veces diré esto, pero en este libro de romance hubiera preferido que no hubiera una historia romántica. Me explico:
El libro ha estado bien. Las descripciones son excelentes y dan ganas de pasar unas vacaciones en un rancho similar, pero la historia de amor me ha parecido muy muy forzada. No ha habido química y a los personajes les falta bastante profundidad. O a este libro le sobra el romance o le faltan muchas páginas que hablen sobre la relación entre Tobias e Isa para hacerla más natural y creíble. La verdad es que está metido un poco con calzador y es una pena, porque el libro empieza muy bien, pero va desinflando conforme pasan las páginas. Creo sinceramente que eliminando el romance y dejando a Tobias y a Isa como amigos el libro ganaría mucho. Podría ser una bonita historia de superación y de cómo un grupo de personas se dejan la piel para sacar un negocio adelante.

[Jan Tomalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book! I really enjoyed it! What could be better than 3 rambunctious doxies, two female dude ranch owners, a brooding head wrangler, a disco performing housekeeper and a movie star? This is a wonderful story you are sure to enjoy!
I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.

[Kerry - Readkerryread · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a fun read, with three rambunctious dachshunds who are causing chaos at the Lazy Dog Ranch. Isabel and Addie threw away their tech jobs to open a dude ranch and in need of a new wrangler. Tobias takes a look at their inexperience and almost walks away but needs the insurance for his son who has cystic fibrosis. With a high profile actress coming for a stay it could make or break their ranch. It’s hard to make a good impression when Tobias and Isabel are at each other’s throats. However is their snarky response how they really feel or the start of something?

This is a sweet, fun, light read. I’d categorize it more as rom com or chic lit as the romance doesn’t really play out on page. Their is tension and an HEA just no really steamy scenes, but I still really enjoyed it.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really enjoyable story with a plot I Hadn’t read before, which is always a bonus! It’s funny, heart rending and romantic. I loved it.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/25/2020)! 🎁

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series

I really enjoyed this addition to the Love and Pets series. I like the characters and loved the setting. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quirky and a delight to read! 4.5stars.

The Downside of Dachshunds is book #3 in the Love and Pets romantic-comedy series by AG Henley. It can be read as a standalone. I have read nearly all of the books in this series and do recommend them all. Each book is light-hearted, uplifting, and I always identify with at least one of the characters. The Downside of Dachshunds, The Trouble with Tabbies, and The Predicament of Persians were my favorites and had me snickering frequently as I read. I had to be careful with my coffee! (The Lessons of Labradors is waiting in my tbrs). In Dachshunds, Isa/FMC and Tobias/MMC set off sparks from the beginning. This series is a fun, light-hearted escape for a couple hours at a time.

Successful sales personnel in the highly pressured tech business, college friends Isabelle Costa/FMC and Adelaide Miller create a long term “escape” plan. When the time arrives they trade their seemingly secure but draining Office Space jobs for one without walls. By pooling their savings they have purchased a dude ranch located outside the Boulder area. Isa and Addy have been managing the ranch for 18 months when they find themselves in need of an experienced head horse wrangler. Tobias Coleman/MMC has all the necessary qualifications. He is just returning to the area after wrangler for years in Wyoming at much larger ranches than the Lazy Dog. Tobias interviews for the position but is not impressed with the business acumen of his potential new bosses. They appear ignorant and at a loss of managing a profitable dude ranch. With a 7 year old son with health concerns, Tobias requires good health insurance which this position includes. But can he depend on the Lazy Dog Ranch remaining in business or will it fizzle and die due to poor management? Surely pooling his expertise with their ill-guided efforts will only cause him frustration - yet there’s something about these women, temporarily covered in manure with their uncontrolled “city” dogs, that tugs at Tobias. Just - what if??

I recommend The Downside of Dachshunds to readers who enjoy Clean stories, the Enemies to More trope, stories involving pets/animals, romantic comedies and Pick-Me-Up novels, contemporary romances, HEAs, and those who read various genres but are looking for a light and “positive” break in their reading.

Reader Cautions - Very Nearly Clean
Profanity - yes. Twice. Otherwise entirely Clean.
Violence - none. Plenty of positive humor.
Sexual situations - none. Kisses at the end of the last chapter. Respectful employee/employer relations throughout.

IMO this is a story/series appropriate for anyone 15+ looking for a Clean, and humorous story.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started really promising. Most of my disappointment sprung from thinking I’ll be reading a sweet small-town story about a grumpy hero who’s really soft — instead, I got a small-town story about a grumpy hero and a forced love story.

The way the author described the Lazy Dog Ranch was great! I was able to paint a clear picture of how it looked like and it created the ambience suited for these kinds of places. Just reading about it, I felt relaxed and at peace, like I would in a vacation.

I wouldn’t have much of a problem if only it was longer. It took its time to lay out that Tobias and Isa aren’t immediately compatible and all the things that is usually present in hate-to-love romance tropes. The Downside with Dashchunds wasn’t insta-love and it wasn’t steamy (so if you’re looking for something like that, this isn’t a book for you), so I was on board with the sweet-innocent love story, but that’s not what happened. It was innocent, but it wasn’t sweet — there weren’t a lot of moments between Tobias and Isa, there weren’t even a bit of them to make me swoon. The pacing wouldn’t have thrown me off, if only the ending wasn’t rushed. It was like when the characters confessed to each other and got together, everything was wrapped up in the next five pages.

Yes, I’m a fan of HEA, but I still would’ve wanted to see the love story between the characters unfold.

Also, I didn’t like how Isa had to point out all the good things about Kate and California during her confrontation with Tobias. It proved true to the recurring joke Addie made of her about being judgmental, what she said to Tobias then felt like he can only ever care about money and shallow reasons.

I initially wanted to do a full review on my blog, but I’m thinking I might just read the entire series first then discuss them as a whole. I skipped the first two books, since you can read them as a standalone, with bits and pieces of spoilers about the characters that got featured before them in the previous books — which I honestly don’t mind, I’m such a mood reader that I read based on the synopsis rather than the arrangement, unless it’s an actual series that needs to be read in order.

All in all, this book was okay. It was entertaining, and like I said, I’ll read the other books in the series so I can write about them as a whole.

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third in a series of “pet friendly” romances by this author. If you like animals and down to earth, complicated characters, try these books.

Isabel and Addie have been best friends since college. They worked for years in the same tech sales industry. The two scrimped and saved every penny so that one day they could one day build…something. Their break came when a dude ranch came their way at a great price.

They loved animals, were friendly, for the most part, and what they didn’t know they figured they could learn. Their willingness to work exhaustive hours had to count for something! So they took Addie’s 3 pet dachshunds to the ranch with them and got right to work.

Eighteen months later, they are still keeping the business afloat, barely. But they desperately need a lead wrangler. Most of the applicants hardly gave them the time of day. Enter Tobias, the last one. The interview was a disaster!

The ranch was in fair shape, the stock healthy, but there weren’t enough guests. Tobias had little hope the ladies could keep their business going for another year, maybe not six months. If he didn’t need the job so badly, and the health insurance, he would keep looking.

But Tobias was a single dad with a son, Tyler, suffering from CF. Tyler’s doctors, hospital bills and medication was all too necessary. Isabel and Tobias couldn’t seem to hold a civil conversation but in spite of all of that, he couldn’t afford to pass this one up.

Can the Lazy Dog Ranch keep its head above water? Can Isa and Tobias stand to work together for all their sakes?

Kindle Unlimited edition

[Travis Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and entertaining romance involving dachshunds. This is the third book in the series. I have not read any other books in the series but it seems to be a standalone story and I did not need to know anything from the previous books. I did not even realize it was part of a series until after I had finished. Isa and Addie are running a dude ranch and need to hire a head wrangler. Tobias applies for the job and seems to be a good fit for the position. Addie and Isa have three weenie dogs named Zip, Zoom and Zap. The dogs tend to stay in trouble and the girls have a celebrity coming to the ranch that they want to impress because they need the publicity. The celebrity, a movie star, seems to take an interest in Tobias and Isa might also be interested in him. I didn't really know what to expect with this book but wanted to read it for the title and neat cover. This book is not what would be considered a cozy. Nobody dies, since I didn't read the blurb I wasn't sure until I had read most of the book everyone was going to make it. I'm glad no one died because the crazy characters were a lot of fun. This is simply a sweet romantic comedy, if you enjoyed Evanovich before she wrote the Plum books you will probably enjoy this. The story does end, no annoying cliffhanger.

[Judy Lawing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun read. If you want to just lose yourself in a story thats clean with a few laughs and an easy going building romance with even some tense moments thrown in then this is the perfect book for you. This dude ranch is full of all sorts of characters. Whether its the housekeeping head thats aspiring to be a singer, or the clumsy kitchen assistant thats such a klutz you can almost see the little dark cloud hanging over her head everywhere she goes, just like the old time comic strip character, or a wide variety of guests, you can rest assured this place is full of personality. The author brings them all alive so well its like you can reach out and shake hands with them. Throw in a trio of dachshunds , along with another that arrives with a VIP guest, add 2 very stubborn defensive hearts, and its inevitable some chaos will erupt with humans and dogs alike. Relax and soak up the atmosphere of the Lazy Dog Ranch. You will want to stay and never leave. Oh be sure to say hi to Isa and Tobias for me. Tell them I hope to see them again soon.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read!

I am a huge fan of this series. If you love pets and sweet romance stories than pick up your copy today! And while you’re at it get the first couple books in the series too!!
This is the story of Isa and Tobias. Isa and her friend and co owner of the Lazy Dog Ranch need a new head wrangler. They hire Tobias and things between he and Isa get off to a rocky start to say the least.
Fiery personalities, a wacky actress, a sick son and concerns over the ranch’s future seem to conspire to keep the two apart. But without being spoilery their journey to a HEA is well worth the read.
A lighthearted romance, well written overall story will keep you engaged from start to finish. Personally I couldn’t put it down I read it in one sitting.
I received an ARC from the author. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from an author I really enjoy! Although my usual book genre is cozy mysteries, this rom-com pet series is just too much fun not to read. This is #3 and is about 2 women who move out of the big city to Colorado to run a dude ranch. The comedy revolves around their 3 doxies - Zip, Zap and Zoom - who are trouble personified!! Add in a new scornful head wrangler, a disco-singing housekeeper and a very clumsy kitchen helper and the fun multiplies! When an quirky actress with a lot of unusual special requests comes for a visit, every effort is made to please her, hoping for some good PR. As you can guess it’s a recipe for disaster and s lot of laughs. You’ll stay entertained til the end.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

As cozey romances go A.G.Henley knows how to write them. The caracters are vibrant and challenging life along the way. Two friends from before college join the work force together,after putting in an allotted few years once again joining forces purchase a doodranch eighteen months later the young woman need to hire a new wrangler after thier first wrangler lieveing them struggling .Through the next few months there are so many ups and downs, comical reliefs and drama ,our wrangler and one of the owners may be coming attached and money seems to be running low. Will there be romance or is the ranch slipping out of thier grasp. Pick up a copy and start enjoying "The Downside of Dachshunds "I certainly did. 😏😊🙄😘 Kat

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read of the Love and Pets series and even though it is book 3 of the series, it is a stand-alone so no worries about having to start at book 1. If you love pets, love romantic comedies and quick easy read, check it out. While the book was predictable because you expect a happily-ever-after with a romantic comedy and this delivers, the storyline itself and location on a ranch resort, quirky characters (especially Cliff), and fun dogs names all beginning with the letter Z make it unique. I will look to read other books in the series. I received an ARC copy of this book at my own request and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.

[Stephanie Bolen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope

There are way too many people and plot lines for you to care about any single one. The heartbreak of CF is touched on but is pushed aside for celebrity visits and freak snowstorms. I love dogs but not the pack of barely disciplined canines run amok. People friendly dogs are welcome in a business setting--but not excitable ill mannered demons. I expect guests to have dogs who make life miserable for anyone that has to deal with them, not the owners of a business. A well trained dog is an asset to a story a poorly trained one shows the main characters to be inconsiderate, flighty, and unworthy owning a dog.

[Carole Mckee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fun Read

This is just one of those books I didn't want to end. Addie and Isabel own a dude ranch in beautiful Colorado. When Tobias shows up to interview for the job as heard wrangler, he isn't so sure the ranch will last. The two city girls and three unruly dachshunds couldn't possibly keep the place running. But he needs the job because of the healthcare coverage for his son. Life on the ranch has its ups and downs, and he wishes he wasn't constantly sparring with his boss. When a famous movie star looks a vacation at the ranch, this could be the turning point for it. Wonderful story with great lovable characters. I loved it.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely not your typical rom-com. There's a lot of drama between Isabel, co-owner of the Lazy Dog Ranch and the new head wrangler, Tobias, single father of a young son. Will Isa and her partner, Addie, keep the ranch afloat? Will Tobias provide all Tyler needs? Will they ever get together? Ms. Henley beautifully balances all the drama with much fun and laughter beginning with the shenanigans of those little doxies, Zip, Zap and Zoom and some very quirky secondary characters. Her writing is warm, funny and seamless. This book is a great addition to this delightful series!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ditching the corporate world to do something that meant something to them, something that was theirs and not just some invisible corporate property- this was a long time dream for two determined ladies.

As they find themselves owners of a dude ranch and a bevy of dachshunds, it becomes clear that a trainer or manager for the horses may not be all they need.

A special needs little boy, a pampered starlet, and do conflicting ideas about love and professional relationships leave them a bit of a bumpy road ahead- yet it may be very worthwhile for them.

Great KU read!

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 4th review

Just finished Dachshund so this makes my 4th ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review. These books are sweet, funny and touching. I like how each book builds on one of the previous characters. I love that each book just barely touches on the story line history. I’ve actually stopped reading another Author’s books (you know who you are JE) because she reintroduces every character, every book. The books are numbered for a reason. Thankfully, these books are a delight. I already pre-ordered book 5 which comes out this Friday and I can’t wait.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

To begin with, I am not too fond of romances. I would rather have a good mystery or thriller. I was hooked by the title, The Downside of Dachshunds. Since I have owned Dachshunds for many, many years, I thought it might be worth while. And it was cute, just not as focused on dogs as I ight have liked it to be. Instead it was a story of two women sinking their life savings into a dude ranch. One of them falls for the wrangler they hire and of course they get off to a bad start but then start to like each other. Every thing works out in the end.

[Sandy Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.G. Henley does it again! Another great romance story with a comical twist that will have you up late turning the pages. Who would expect darling little dachshunds to be running around in a dude ranch? The three Z's add just the right humorous touch. With lots of opportunities for love and couples to collide this story has it all. Henley's best so far.

I received a free advanced copy to review but this is my own honest opinion.

[ReadaBook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book in this sweet series

With COVID-19 stress everywhere, reading a sweet, positive, light romance with dogs is such a nice diversion! Decent people across the board (except for a couple minor characters, but even they were not awful!) is kind of unusual but really nice.
Definitely like the way various characters who are the main characters in the previous books in the series play small roles too.
Enjoyed this! Ready for #4!

[cait · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a decent romance, although, I think my main problem with the books in this series is that they're too short. Having an extra 100+ pages probably would've made it a bit better and there would've been a bit more development. It felt as though the conflict was over instantly.

I wish we got to see more of Tyler and his CF and how Tobias handles it

Overall, pretty decent read, only took me a couple of hours to finish.