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Fur Haven Dog Park #3
Paws for Love
Damaged hearts--man, woman, and dog--have a second chance for love, healing and happiness under the warm Miami Beach sun in this endearing contemporary romance...
Danielle Morrow works tirelessly for the greyhound rescue as an adoption coordinator, rehabilitating retired racing dogs and helping them find forever homes. She guards her heart as vigilantly as her two adopted greyhounds guard her home. One heartbreak per lifetime is enough for any woman, and no one she's met since her high school boyfriend dumped her to join the military has ever tempted her enough to risk love again.
Knox Donovan expected to be career military, but an injury has resulted in an honorable discharge that leaves him uncertain of his future. When his brothers ask him to come back to Miami Beach to help manage their new condo conversion, he figures he can at least advise them about security systems before declining the job. He has no intention of staying in the city that has so many bad memories for him.
Knox is reminded that not all his memories of growing up in Miami Beach are bad when he sees Danielle again at the Grand Opening of the new Fur Haven Dog Park. Fifteen years haven't softened the pain of their breakup. But Knox is different now, more hard-edged and suspicious, and when he bonds with the retired racing greyhound, Sarge, Danielle's cool reserve begins to melt. Sarge needs special care after the injuries that ended his racing career, and it's not long before Danielle realizes that Knox does too. Can Danielle trust her heart to the one man who's ever broken it?
Snuggle up with your best dog companion and get reading: This adorable romance includes a veteran who could use a four-legged best friend, a second chance with a high school sweetheart, and a determined heroine who isn't going to let the man of her dreams get away again.
Danielle Morrow works tirelessly for the greyhound rescue as an adoption coordinator, rehabilitating retired racing dogs and helping them find forever homes. She guards her heart as vigilantly as her two adopted greyhounds guard her home. One heartbreak per lifetime is enough for any woman, and no one she's met since her high school boyfriend dumped her to join the military has ever tempted her enough to risk love again.
Knox Donovan expected to be career military, but an injury has resulted in an honorable discharge that leaves him uncertain of his future. When his brothers ask him to come back to Miami Beach to help manage their new condo conversion, he figures he can at least advise them about security systems before declining the job. He has no intention of staying in the city that has so many bad memories for him.
Knox is reminded that not all his memories of growing up in Miami Beach are bad when he sees Danielle again at the Grand Opening of the new Fur Haven Dog Park. Fifteen years haven't softened the pain of their breakup. But Knox is different now, more hard-edged and suspicious, and when he bonds with the retired racing greyhound, Sarge, Danielle's cool reserve begins to melt. Sarge needs special care after the injuries that ended his racing career, and it's not long before Danielle realizes that Knox does too. Can Danielle trust her heart to the one man who's ever broken it?
Snuggle up with your best dog companion and get reading: This adorable romance includes a veteran who could use a four-legged best friend, a second chance with a high school sweetheart, and a determined heroine who isn't going to let the man of her dreams get away again.
360 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 23, 2021
35 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 8, 2021
Paws for Love is an endearing tale of second chances. A chance to re-kindle that spark, that warm feeling, and that overwhelming soul-stirring.
Knox Donovan and Danielle Morrow, high school sweethearts, were to marry after the discovery of Danielle's pregnancy. But after Danielle's unfortunate miscarriage, Knox nixes marriage, to enlist in the Marines.
Fifteen years later, and due to a debilitating leg injury, Knox gets honorably discharged from the Marines and returns to Miami Beach. It is there that Knox runs into Danielle, stirring up fond memories from the past. Danielle, too, is forced to remember the warmth and love she and Knox shared. But old wounds re-emerge, and Danielle finds them difficult to forget. Can Danielle overcome her feelings of mistrust? Can she open up her heart to Knox again? After all, Knox may very well to the same thing again -- leave her with a broken heart.
A four star read for me. Inasmuch as I really enjoyed the novel, it seemed to me the the story was too drawn out, repeating that "should I, or shouldn't I" theme in an unending loop. Thankfully, that loop ended when it did.
Paws for Love is still a wonderful romance novel about second chances with a smattering of fur-baby cuteness, It is sure to please readers that enjoy the contemporary romance genre.
I received a digital ARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca through NetGalley, The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Knox Donovan and Danielle Morrow, high school sweethearts, were to marry after the discovery of Danielle's pregnancy. But after Danielle's unfortunate miscarriage, Knox nixes marriage, to enlist in the Marines.
Fifteen years later, and due to a debilitating leg injury, Knox gets honorably discharged from the Marines and returns to Miami Beach. It is there that Knox runs into Danielle, stirring up fond memories from the past. Danielle, too, is forced to remember the warmth and love she and Knox shared. But old wounds re-emerge, and Danielle finds them difficult to forget. Can Danielle overcome her feelings of mistrust? Can she open up her heart to Knox again? After all, Knox may very well to the same thing again -- leave her with a broken heart.
A four star read for me. Inasmuch as I really enjoyed the novel, it seemed to me the the story was too drawn out, repeating that "should I, or shouldn't I" theme in an unending loop. Thankfully, that loop ended when it did.
Paws for Love is still a wonderful romance novel about second chances with a smattering of fur-baby cuteness, It is sure to please readers that enjoy the contemporary romance genre.
I received a digital ARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca through NetGalley, The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
December 14, 2020
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
A wounded warrior gets a second chance with his high school sweetheart in “Paws for Love”, by Mara Wells (Sourcebooks Casablanca), a story populated with lots of dogs and full of canine love.
Knox and Danielle are easy to relate to, the wounded Marine stubbornly trying to rehabilitate his leg and return to service and the dog lover whose life is commanded by rehabilitating retired racing greyhounds and help them find new homes.
Their connection is both sweet and intense, and the friendship and family relationships are strong and supportive.
A lot of the story has to do with the canine characters, lovable and sweet, but it takes away from the romance and at times it feels just too much (although dog lovers might love it) and I struggled to keep interested.
A wounded warrior gets a second chance with his high school sweetheart in “Paws for Love”, by Mara Wells (Sourcebooks Casablanca), a story populated with lots of dogs and full of canine love.
Knox and Danielle are easy to relate to, the wounded Marine stubbornly trying to rehabilitate his leg and return to service and the dog lover whose life is commanded by rehabilitating retired racing greyhounds and help them find new homes.
Their connection is both sweet and intense, and the friendship and family relationships are strong and supportive.
A lot of the story has to do with the canine characters, lovable and sweet, but it takes away from the romance and at times it feels just too much (although dog lovers might love it) and I struggled to keep interested.
December 2, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley for a arc copy for a honest review.
I recommend Paw’s For Love... It’s about second chances and it has dogs this was such a cute read. Happy give it 4 star’s
Happy Reading
Lisa
I recommend Paw’s For Love... It’s about second chances and it has dogs this was such a cute read. Happy give it 4 star’s
Happy Reading
Lisa
February 2, 2021
I got this EArc in exhange for a honest review from Netgalley
This was a book i really liked. The characters were easily likeable, fun and had the dose of character development i like. The story was adorable, nice and had a bit sad moments but they soon changed. Plus, there were dogs. I`m a sucker for books involving animals!
This was a book i really liked. The characters were easily likeable, fun and had the dose of character development i like. The story was adorable, nice and had a bit sad moments but they soon changed. Plus, there were dogs. I`m a sucker for books involving animals!
April 24, 2021
OK, so I'm not the target audience for this book. I'm a fan of art films, star wars, Columbo, some odd video games, lotr and Herman Hesse. But I also have a weird love of Lacey Chabert Hallmark Christmas flicks (other stars don't seem sincere enough). I bought it at a supermarket that used to sell Amish love stories (with titles like 'the girl who waited'), that I thought might be fun to read, but those books were replaced by cowboy books in the past years and now this dog and owner romance genre, which I didn't know existed until last night. I live in a semi rural town and these books are situated where trashy Judy Collins romance novels would be in other towns I've lived in.
This is the 3rd book in a series, and I'm sure the previous 2 books don't have any surprises, though that in itself is not a deal-breaker for this kind of book. Set in Florida, Danielle is a dog trainer who helps displaced greyhounds find new homes. Florida voted to outlaw greyhound racing in 2018 (I learned something!). The book starts with an abused greyhound with a broken leg being treated by her vet father. She has to rehab him before finding a new home, but he's a stoic proud dog, a soldier, and she names "Sarge". Knox Donavon (a real name) is one of 3 brothers renovating an old building that their criminal father owned. His brother is getting married (each brother is featured in one of the previous books) to someone he left before, as his his grandfather, maybe another couple will get back together? Knox is a marine (gunnery sergeant, just like Sarge!) discharged medically because of an IED that killed 2 of his friends (I just told you everything the book told me about his military experience, Knox is basically a horny muscle curtain). Dani and Knox dated in high school, he knocked her up, she lost the baby and he left for the Marines 15 years before. They both long for each other but it's complicated. Their families want them to get together.
OK that's a long paragraph, right? Well all that info is communicated in the first 14 pages. Here's the spoiler: on page 346 they do! During the 332 pages of dithering between these two points we're treated to a dog show, a puppy birth, a bridal shower, a bachelor and bachelorette party (I think), a petting zoo date, so extremely un-detailed sex scenes (breasts are called pineapples at one point and that went on way too long), and a wedding. But the whole story switches between Dani and Knox's perspectives and we have endure their dumb thoughts through the whole thing. Also everyone is rich. There's an NPR listening old lady who buys a new jag every year, Caleb has his beloved Porshe, Knox buys a house with cash, etc.
Where did it go wrong? Twilight, for all it's flaws, at least has a love triangle. Maybe the previous doglove stories had a triangle as well, but here we're stuck with these 2. Their lives revolve around their families completely. There are no friends or distractions, just their dumb heads in the way for 332 pages. They both have their issues, but since they don't talk to anyone we're left with their thoughts as family and pooches nudge them together. It's a quick read I guess, but they get tiresome. The lack of sex shouldn't surprise me, since it is replacing Amish romances that I image were just contests to see who could be more chaste.
But what about the dogs?!? Obviously the point of all these books is that dog's are smarter than humans and if we just act like dogs all our problems will be fixed. Just go with your gut. I suppose this is the ultimate result of 4 years of our past president. Most of the dog action and drama is done by the middle of the book. Sarge falls in love with Knox immediately and then gets one of Dani's dogs pregnant. The puppy birth scene in the middle of the book is probably the most graphic scene (I'm curious if there's a puppy birth in each book). After that dogs are just there for snuggles.
Is it good? No. These characters are just too boring. I gave it 2 stars because it fulfills its promise of love and puppies.
This is the 3rd book in a series, and I'm sure the previous 2 books don't have any surprises, though that in itself is not a deal-breaker for this kind of book. Set in Florida, Danielle is a dog trainer who helps displaced greyhounds find new homes. Florida voted to outlaw greyhound racing in 2018 (I learned something!). The book starts with an abused greyhound with a broken leg being treated by her vet father. She has to rehab him before finding a new home, but he's a stoic proud dog, a soldier, and she names "Sarge". Knox Donavon (a real name) is one of 3 brothers renovating an old building that their criminal father owned. His brother is getting married (each brother is featured in one of the previous books) to someone he left before, as his his grandfather, maybe another couple will get back together? Knox is a marine (gunnery sergeant, just like Sarge!) discharged medically because of an IED that killed 2 of his friends (I just told you everything the book told me about his military experience, Knox is basically a horny muscle curtain). Dani and Knox dated in high school, he knocked her up, she lost the baby and he left for the Marines 15 years before. They both long for each other but it's complicated. Their families want them to get together.
OK that's a long paragraph, right? Well all that info is communicated in the first 14 pages. Here's the spoiler: on page 346 they do! During the 332 pages of dithering between these two points we're treated to a dog show, a puppy birth, a bridal shower, a bachelor and bachelorette party (I think), a petting zoo date, so extremely un-detailed sex scenes (breasts are called pineapples at one point and that went on way too long), and a wedding. But the whole story switches between Dani and Knox's perspectives and we have endure their dumb thoughts through the whole thing. Also everyone is rich. There's an NPR listening old lady who buys a new jag every year, Caleb has his beloved Porshe, Knox buys a house with cash, etc.
Where did it go wrong? Twilight, for all it's flaws, at least has a love triangle. Maybe the previous doglove stories had a triangle as well, but here we're stuck with these 2. Their lives revolve around their families completely. There are no friends or distractions, just their dumb heads in the way for 332 pages. They both have their issues, but since they don't talk to anyone we're left with their thoughts as family and pooches nudge them together. It's a quick read I guess, but they get tiresome. The lack of sex shouldn't surprise me, since it is replacing Amish romances that I image were just contests to see who could be more chaste.
But what about the dogs?!? Obviously the point of all these books is that dog's are smarter than humans and if we just act like dogs all our problems will be fixed. Just go with your gut. I suppose this is the ultimate result of 4 years of our past president. Most of the dog action and drama is done by the middle of the book. Sarge falls in love with Knox immediately and then gets one of Dani's dogs pregnant. The puppy birth scene in the middle of the book is probably the most graphic scene (I'm curious if there's a puppy birth in each book). After that dogs are just there for snuggles.
Is it good? No. These characters are just too boring. I gave it 2 stars because it fulfills its promise of love and puppies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2021
Paws for Love
Fur Haven Dog Park Series #3
Mara Wells
https://www.facebook.com/marawellsaut...
Release Date 02/23/2021
Publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Broken hearts—man, woman, and dog—get a second chance at love, healing, and happiness under the warm Miami Beach sun in this endearing contemporary romance...
Danielle Morrow works tirelessly for a greyhound rescue helping retired racing dogs find their forever homes. She guards her heart as vigilantly as her two adopted greyhounds guard her. One heartbreak per lifetime is enough for any woman, and no one she's met since her high school boyfriend dumped her to join the military has ever tempted her enough to risk love again.
Knox Donovan expected to be career military, but an injury and an honorable discharge leave him uncertain of his future. When his brothers ask him to come back to Miami Beach to help with their new condo conversion, he has no intention of staying on in the city that has so many bad memories for him.
Knox is reminded that not all his memories are bad when he sees Danielle again at the grand opening of the new Fur Haven Dog Park. Fifteen years haven't softened the pain of their breakup. But Knox is different now, more hard-edged and suspicious, and when he bonds with the retired racing greyhound, Sarge, Danielle's cool reserve begins to melt. Sarge needs special care after the injuries that ended his racing career, and it's not long before Danielle realizes that Knox does too—they can give each other one more chance at the love and friendship they deserve. But can Danielle trust her heart to the only man who's ever broken it?
Snuggle up with your best dog companion and get reading: This lighthearted romance includes a veteran who could use a four-legged best friend, a second chance with a high school sweetheart, and a determined heroine who isn't going to let the man of her dreams get away again.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will they let pass their second shot at love by lack of trust ...
I discovered this series and it’s author with the previous book, so I was happy to come back to Fur Heaven Dog Park.
Knox fights to recover from his injuries and sees his hopes to going back to the army drift away as it looks like he will never be again the man he was before he was wounded.
He is recovering along his rediscovered family, one who welcomed him with open arms.
Still he seems unable to fix himself in one place. He struggles to project himself in the future, to determine what he wants for himself, he wants the girl but he wants too his old job back, the one he left her for.
Danielle has cried for herself for more than a decade, still living in her father’s outhouse and working for him. Sure she lived through a devastating hardship for any woman, yet she uses too her past wound to hide herself from the world. She procrastinated because she cowardly retreated behind her pain instead of facing the world.
Both dealt with their scars a different way, she hides et runs away.
I felt like many times they were running in circles, stretching the story but always coming back to the old wound between them with no real talk about it outside you hurt me, I do not want to go this way again but can’t say no to you too.
It dragged too long to go to the whys of her constant rejection. When it is easily figured out. I got upset at Danielle always talking in riddle, holding back and making decisions for both of them because of what she has decided was a burden only for herself. In truth, they never have a heartfelt discussion.
I loved the many side characters, the fun elders, the many puppies and to see again the couples from the previous books.
4 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 mild onscreen lovemaking scene.
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Fur Haven Dog Park Series #3
Mara Wells
https://www.facebook.com/marawellsaut...
Release Date 02/23/2021
Publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Broken hearts—man, woman, and dog—get a second chance at love, healing, and happiness under the warm Miami Beach sun in this endearing contemporary romance...
Danielle Morrow works tirelessly for a greyhound rescue helping retired racing dogs find their forever homes. She guards her heart as vigilantly as her two adopted greyhounds guard her. One heartbreak per lifetime is enough for any woman, and no one she's met since her high school boyfriend dumped her to join the military has ever tempted her enough to risk love again.
Knox Donovan expected to be career military, but an injury and an honorable discharge leave him uncertain of his future. When his brothers ask him to come back to Miami Beach to help with their new condo conversion, he has no intention of staying on in the city that has so many bad memories for him.
Knox is reminded that not all his memories are bad when he sees Danielle again at the grand opening of the new Fur Haven Dog Park. Fifteen years haven't softened the pain of their breakup. But Knox is different now, more hard-edged and suspicious, and when he bonds with the retired racing greyhound, Sarge, Danielle's cool reserve begins to melt. Sarge needs special care after the injuries that ended his racing career, and it's not long before Danielle realizes that Knox does too—they can give each other one more chance at the love and friendship they deserve. But can Danielle trust her heart to the only man who's ever broken it?
Snuggle up with your best dog companion and get reading: This lighthearted romance includes a veteran who could use a four-legged best friend, a second chance with a high school sweetheart, and a determined heroine who isn't going to let the man of her dreams get away again.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will they let pass their second shot at love by lack of trust ...
I discovered this series and it’s author with the previous book, so I was happy to come back to Fur Heaven Dog Park.
Knox fights to recover from his injuries and sees his hopes to going back to the army drift away as it looks like he will never be again the man he was before he was wounded.
He is recovering along his rediscovered family, one who welcomed him with open arms.
Still he seems unable to fix himself in one place. He struggles to project himself in the future, to determine what he wants for himself, he wants the girl but he wants too his old job back, the one he left her for.
Danielle has cried for herself for more than a decade, still living in her father’s outhouse and working for him. Sure she lived through a devastating hardship for any woman, yet she uses too her past wound to hide herself from the world. She procrastinated because she cowardly retreated behind her pain instead of facing the world.
Both dealt with their scars a different way, she hides et runs away.
I felt like many times they were running in circles, stretching the story but always coming back to the old wound between them with no real talk about it outside you hurt me, I do not want to go this way again but can’t say no to you too.
It dragged too long to go to the whys of her constant rejection. When it is easily figured out. I got upset at Danielle always talking in riddle, holding back and making decisions for both of them because of what she has decided was a burden only for herself. In truth, they never have a heartfelt discussion.
I loved the many side characters, the fun elders, the many puppies and to see again the couples from the previous books.
4 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 mild onscreen lovemaking scene.
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
March 5, 2021
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Paws for Love is a charming, emotional romance full of second guesses, second chances, and fur babies looking for their special human and their fur-ever home. Really. What’s not to love about any of that? I’ve enjoyed this series, and while I’ll always recommend reading from the start, with this series you can pick up any book and enjoy it without missing anything. Of course, you’d know the backstories of people you might meet along the way, yet it can stand on its own when necessary. Knox and Danielle’s story is the third title in the Fur Haven Dog Park series.
There was a time when high school sweethearts, Danielle and Knox might have been planning for a family, a happy-ever-after future. But that dream came crashing down and Knox left Danielle for a military career. Now, years later, Danielle still isn’t willing to trust her heart to any human, the dogs she takes care of nurtures and finds forever homes for having become her life’s work and these four-legged loves have her heart wrapped around their paws. Now her safe life is about to explode when Knox steps back into it. They’ve both changed over fifteen years, but it seems the heart remembers both the love and the pain. Can they find a second chance, much like Sarge, a retired greyhound needs to find a place where they belong… together?
Paws for Love tore my heart apart. Thankfully, by the story’s ending, it was healed back whole, but the journey to get to that happily ever after is full of potholes, speed bumps, and a lot of letting go of the past and looking towards the future. It’s not easy to get beyond what you perceive as a betrayal of your love, no matter the circumstances. When Danielle needed Knox the most he made a decision that affected both of their lives for years. Watching this couple work to get beyond the past, make slow, steady steps toward accepting that their love never truly died, and watching an adorable, injured greyhound find his family, his forever home was an emotional journey full of laughter, anger, tears, and that warm feeling of knowing they finally got it right.
I enjoyed stepping back into this world again with Knox and Danielle… and Sarge. If you enjoy a love story of wounded lives finding the love they all truly deserve once again, then Paws for Love (or the entire Fur Haven Dog Park series) is the perfect love story for you.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca 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.*
Paws for Love is a charming, emotional romance full of second guesses, second chances, and fur babies looking for their special human and their fur-ever home. Really. What’s not to love about any of that? I’ve enjoyed this series, and while I’ll always recommend reading from the start, with this series you can pick up any book and enjoy it without missing anything. Of course, you’d know the backstories of people you might meet along the way, yet it can stand on its own when necessary. Knox and Danielle’s story is the third title in the Fur Haven Dog Park series.
There was a time when high school sweethearts, Danielle and Knox might have been planning for a family, a happy-ever-after future. But that dream came crashing down and Knox left Danielle for a military career. Now, years later, Danielle still isn’t willing to trust her heart to any human, the dogs she takes care of nurtures and finds forever homes for having become her life’s work and these four-legged loves have her heart wrapped around their paws. Now her safe life is about to explode when Knox steps back into it. They’ve both changed over fifteen years, but it seems the heart remembers both the love and the pain. Can they find a second chance, much like Sarge, a retired greyhound needs to find a place where they belong… together?
Paws for Love tore my heart apart. Thankfully, by the story’s ending, it was healed back whole, but the journey to get to that happily ever after is full of potholes, speed bumps, and a lot of letting go of the past and looking towards the future. It’s not easy to get beyond what you perceive as a betrayal of your love, no matter the circumstances. When Danielle needed Knox the most he made a decision that affected both of their lives for years. Watching this couple work to get beyond the past, make slow, steady steps toward accepting that their love never truly died, and watching an adorable, injured greyhound find his family, his forever home was an emotional journey full of laughter, anger, tears, and that warm feeling of knowing they finally got it right.
I enjoyed stepping back into this world again with Knox and Danielle… and Sarge. If you enjoy a love story of wounded lives finding the love they all truly deserve once again, then Paws for Love (or the entire Fur Haven Dog Park series) is the perfect love story for you.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca 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.*
December 28, 2022
Paws for Love is book 3 in the Fur Haven Dog Park series by Mara Wells. I adored the entire series and this brought the Donovan brothers’ tale full circle. We got to see Knox, quiet ex-military man dealing with a career-ending injury, get a second chance with his high school sweetheart who he left behind to enlist many years ago. Knox thinks Danielle doesn’t see a future with him because of her leg, but she has a secret she thinks makes is unfair to saddle anyone with, let alone Knox. There is definitely a whole lot of angst that could have been avoided if the Knox and Danielle had just talked, but 15 years of absence combined with their own intense life drama makes it difficult to make the best decisions.
I enjoyed this series immensely…. But…. Can Sydney get a story?????
I enjoyed this series immensely…. But…. Can Sydney get a story?????
February 26, 2021
In the game of love, do you play it safe or do you risk everything? When you've had your heart broken in high school like Danielle Morrow, it's easy to understand why she's wary at giving a second chance at her former sweetheart. But between her and Knox Donovan, there's inexplicable feelings that never stopped burning no matter the distance.
You'd think that with her job at rehabilitating racing Greyhounds she wouldn't have time to think about the man, but it seems that her heart didn't get the memo.
A knee injury put a stop to Knox's military career. Not sure what he's going to do now, he came back to Miami Beach to work with his brothers in renovating a big building. Seeing Danielle again, there's no doubt in his mind he want to be with her and win her heart back. But it's not as easy for her to let go of the past.
I was a little wary at the beginning of the book, after learning what separated the two young lovers and especially about, what is to me, a lack of empathy from Knox. But I was right to trust that the author would make the love story work and I was touched by their different personal challenges. There were some heartbreaking moments but beautiful scenes too.
Paws for Love is an emotional and sweet tale for fans of the second chance and slow burn romance trope, for the dog lovers and for anyone who wants to be touched by the love story and personal journey of a former Marines and a Greyhounds rehabilitator who were once high school sweethearts❤.
You'd think that with her job at rehabilitating racing Greyhounds she wouldn't have time to think about the man, but it seems that her heart didn't get the memo.
A knee injury put a stop to Knox's military career. Not sure what he's going to do now, he came back to Miami Beach to work with his brothers in renovating a big building. Seeing Danielle again, there's no doubt in his mind he want to be with her and win her heart back. But it's not as easy for her to let go of the past.
I was a little wary at the beginning of the book, after learning what separated the two young lovers and especially about, what is to me, a lack of empathy from Knox. But I was right to trust that the author would make the love story work and I was touched by their different personal challenges. There were some heartbreaking moments but beautiful scenes too.
Paws for Love is an emotional and sweet tale for fans of the second chance and slow burn romance trope, for the dog lovers and for anyone who wants to be touched by the love story and personal journey of a former Marines and a Greyhounds rehabilitator who were once high school sweethearts❤.
February 25, 2021
Paws for Love by Mara Wells is a second chance romance with so many feels and adorable dogs. Danielle and Knox were high school sweethearts that seemed to have a future together, until they didn’t. Now he is back and old hurts resurface. But Danielle is not one to trust so easily anymore. So much has changed in the years they have spent apart but bonding over a rescue dog brings them closer together. Their story was emotional, touching and sweet.
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
October 15, 2024
I got a chance to meet the author at my residency for my MFA. She is a former graduate, and I was interested in reading her work, despite it not being anywhere near my wheelhouse. I don’t do romance. It is a well written story with interesting characters, and they have some real-world issues mixed with that hallmark flavor of saving Greyhound dogs. Overall, I enjoyed the writing and would say for those who love this genre this is a great romantic tail of reconnecting.
January 27, 2021
3 stars
Paws for Love by Mara Wells is a sweet and entertaining read.
The storyline is well written and I enjoyed watching Knox and Danielle get their second chance at love.
Overall, Paws for Love is a good Sunday afternoon read.
*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*
Paws for Love by Mara Wells is a sweet and entertaining read.
The storyline is well written and I enjoyed watching Knox and Danielle get their second chance at love.
Overall, Paws for Love is a good Sunday afternoon read.
*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*
June 19, 2021
I love second chances romances and this one definitely didn't disappoint. Knox and Danielle deserved to end up together, and I'm so glad they finally got their HEA. I love that this series has so many scenes involving dogs, and I hope that there's more in the future. Mara Wells is definitely on my favorite author list!!!
June 28, 2022
The last single Donovan brother, highschool sweethearts, and dogs. Knox and Danielle haven't seen each other since Knox left for the military. Knox and Danielle are trying to get reacquainted since they haven't seen each other in years.
I did enjoy the book. It was frustrating at times. So many things could have been cleared up sooner if they just talked. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Sarge picked Knox to be his new owner. It was so cute.
I did enjoy the book. It was frustrating at times. So many things could have been cleared up sooner if they just talked. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Sarge picked Knox to be his new owner. It was so cute.
December 8, 2020
Paws for Love is a sweet, emotional tale (tail? haha, ugh) about former lovers finding their way back to each other after fifteen years. Also, dogs! It is the third in a series, and it stands alone just fine, though reading the other novels might help give you a better appreciation for some of the supporting characters. I really liked this story and I really want to give it five stars, but there were a few parts that left me a little unsatisfied.
Danielle and Knox were unlikely high school sweethearts (quiet nerd with hot jock? does that ever happen in real life?) until Knox broke Danielle’s heart by abruptly leaving her for the military shortly after graduation. A small number of flashbacks help us see what happened; I'm not usually a fan of the flashback, but the ones in this book are done really well. Anyway, although the author does a good job explaining why Knox left, and although Knox jumps through hoops trying to make it up to Danielle, I still had trouble fully forgiving him for being such a colossal jerk. After Knox left, Things Happened to Danielle to make her very wary of getting back together with Knox, but I won’t go into them in a review because (a) it would be mildly spoilerish, and (b) this isn’t a book report.
In spite of Knox’s former colossal jerkage, I really liked him as a hero. The mistakes he made were pretty normal, and I had to keep reminding myself that he was 18 at the time. He also spends most of the present-day part of the novel trying to make it up to her. Danielle is also a very likable character. She lost her way for sure, and it was much easier for me to feel compassion for her than for Knox. I loved the scenes where she was capably handling animals, and I especially liked that greyhounds and veterinary medicine were her thing. I do wish there had been an epilogue to give us closure on that element of her life.
My main criticism in the novel is that Danielle's Big Secret isn't really a secret to the reader; though we aren't explicitly told what happened, we can easily guess, but we don't officially find out until the end of the book. There's way too much I'll-tell-him-after-dinner-okay-tomorrow-okay-let's-go-to-bed-instead, and I'm not fully convinced that there was enough backstory to justify Danielle keeping her Big Secret such a secret for so long. A secondary criticism is that I really feel like Danielle needed to get angrier. Not throughout the novel, but I needed her to verbally smack Knox in some kind of final showdown; there's one point where he lashes out at her, accusing her of not being a fighter, and to me, that's when she should have come clean about how much of a fighter she had to be after he left her. She starts to get angry, then backs off. Meh, gurl.
All that aside, it's really a good story. I read the first book in the series a few months ago and liked it, but I missed book 2. I'm looking forward to catching up with Lance and Carrie's story, and I'm also hopeful there will be more in the series (Sydney? Adam?).
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Thanks!
Danielle and Knox were unlikely high school sweethearts (quiet nerd with hot jock? does that ever happen in real life?) until Knox broke Danielle’s heart by abruptly leaving her for the military shortly after graduation. A small number of flashbacks help us see what happened; I'm not usually a fan of the flashback, but the ones in this book are done really well. Anyway, although the author does a good job explaining why Knox left, and although Knox jumps through hoops trying to make it up to Danielle, I still had trouble fully forgiving him for being such a colossal jerk. After Knox left, Things Happened to Danielle to make her very wary of getting back together with Knox, but I won’t go into them in a review because (a) it would be mildly spoilerish, and (b) this isn’t a book report.
In spite of Knox’s former colossal jerkage, I really liked him as a hero. The mistakes he made were pretty normal, and I had to keep reminding myself that he was 18 at the time. He also spends most of the present-day part of the novel trying to make it up to her. Danielle is also a very likable character. She lost her way for sure, and it was much easier for me to feel compassion for her than for Knox. I loved the scenes where she was capably handling animals, and I especially liked that greyhounds and veterinary medicine were her thing. I do wish there had been an epilogue to give us closure on that element of her life.
My main criticism in the novel is that Danielle's Big Secret isn't really a secret to the reader; though we aren't explicitly told what happened, we can easily guess, but we don't officially find out until the end of the book. There's way too much I'll-tell-him-after-dinner-okay-tomorrow-okay-let's-go-to-bed-instead, and I'm not fully convinced that there was enough backstory to justify Danielle keeping her Big Secret such a secret for so long. A secondary criticism is that I really feel like Danielle needed to get angrier. Not throughout the novel, but I needed her to verbally smack Knox in some kind of final showdown; there's one point where he lashes out at her, accusing her of not being a fighter, and to me, that's when she should have come clean about how much of a fighter she had to be after he left her. She starts to get angry, then backs off. Meh, gurl.
All that aside, it's really a good story. I read the first book in the series a few months ago and liked it, but I missed book 2. I'm looking forward to catching up with Lance and Carrie's story, and I'm also hopeful there will be more in the series (Sydney? Adam?).
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Thanks!
August 25, 2023
I love stories featuring cats or dogs and love this romance that features plenty of dog.
I thoroughly enjoyed, rooted for the characters and had a lot of fun.
it's well written, well developed characters (human and canine), a plot that flows.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher a for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I thoroughly enjoyed, rooted for the characters and had a lot of fun.
it's well written, well developed characters (human and canine), a plot that flows.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher a for this ARC, all opinions are mine
September 6, 2021
This book didn’t engage me quite the same way the first two did. I never quite warmed up to Danielle and the end felt forced and rather rushed. I did enjoy seeing Knox’s relationship with Lance and Caleb. Don’t get me started on the cover….Danielle is supposed to be short and curvy, which the cover model is definitely not. I am still hopeful for more stories from the Dorothy.
March 1, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. It helps that I am also crazy about dogs. The plot is interesting but also can make your blood boil if you love dogs, especially the greyhounds. Danielle Morrow owns a rescue company for greyhounds that are in great need especially since racing was banned in Florida. I had to keep tears from falling when I learned so many of the dogs were euthanized because the trainers had no more use for them. We get to meet her new project, a greyhound she recently rescued that had a horrible break in his leg, was starving, and didn’t trust humans.
She is lucky that her father owned a vet practice. Dr. Alan Morrow helped his daughter heal the physical wounds while she concentrated on the rehabilitation. Their newest acquisition impressed them by his fighting spirit, so Danielle decided to call him Sarge.
Danielle is an exceptionally complex character with a heart of gold. She has many secrets and a disappointment in not pursuing her dream to become a vet. Something in her past has blocked her and now she considered herself to old to go back to college. She lives in the guest house on her father’s property with her two greyhounds, Luna and Flurry. You can feel the passion, love and pride she has for her rescue, Home Stretch. There is also the awesome dog park that was designed and built by the Donovan brothers. I wish I had a place like that, where you could see the Atlantic Ocean, a large fenced in yard which had a gate to keep the small dogs and large dogs separate. I found it adorable that there were bone shaped benches.
Then there is a complex man named Knox Donovan who was discharged from the military because of an injury to his leg from an IED. He is stubborn and believes that if he pushes himself, he will regain the strength in his leg and go back to the military and take care of his men. Unfortunately, his dream won’t come true as his knee is beyond repair. He did find some purpose with working with his brothers Caleb and Lance in demolishing and rebuilding the Dorothy building into luxury apartments. He still holds a flame for Danielle and when he sees her at the park on the grand opening, his feelings are mixed. He didn’t mean to approach her, but he couldn’t help himself.
Their first meeting is awkward as there are many things that were left unsaid and actions taken that can’t be undone. I enjoyed watching the connection that Sarge made with him in an instant. Danielle recognizes it and does her best to make sure that Knox does too. They both have things in common including a bum leg and the mistrust and inability to connect to others unless they know they can trust them. Both dog and human can be stubborn but once you get past their guard you will have a friend for life.
Knox and Danielle’s relationship is hard to define, at first it evolves around her trying to get Knox to adopt Sarge by texting him cute pictures of the dog. Then when Knox ends up buying a house from an elderly woman that Danielle is close to, they are thrown together as she helps him move in. Their relationship is a slow building one with mistakes made on both sides. In fact I think it was a little to slow, although there are reasons. I believe that it could have been sped up a little and I wish that Danielle told Knox her secret a lot earlier.
Their relationship is sweet, loving, and hot. The lovemaking between them is like nothing they felt except when they were going out in high school. That spark didn’t take much to rekindle into a flame. A wonderful romance I heartily recommend.
She is lucky that her father owned a vet practice. Dr. Alan Morrow helped his daughter heal the physical wounds while she concentrated on the rehabilitation. Their newest acquisition impressed them by his fighting spirit, so Danielle decided to call him Sarge.
Danielle is an exceptionally complex character with a heart of gold. She has many secrets and a disappointment in not pursuing her dream to become a vet. Something in her past has blocked her and now she considered herself to old to go back to college. She lives in the guest house on her father’s property with her two greyhounds, Luna and Flurry. You can feel the passion, love and pride she has for her rescue, Home Stretch. There is also the awesome dog park that was designed and built by the Donovan brothers. I wish I had a place like that, where you could see the Atlantic Ocean, a large fenced in yard which had a gate to keep the small dogs and large dogs separate. I found it adorable that there were bone shaped benches.
Then there is a complex man named Knox Donovan who was discharged from the military because of an injury to his leg from an IED. He is stubborn and believes that if he pushes himself, he will regain the strength in his leg and go back to the military and take care of his men. Unfortunately, his dream won’t come true as his knee is beyond repair. He did find some purpose with working with his brothers Caleb and Lance in demolishing and rebuilding the Dorothy building into luxury apartments. He still holds a flame for Danielle and when he sees her at the park on the grand opening, his feelings are mixed. He didn’t mean to approach her, but he couldn’t help himself.
Their first meeting is awkward as there are many things that were left unsaid and actions taken that can’t be undone. I enjoyed watching the connection that Sarge made with him in an instant. Danielle recognizes it and does her best to make sure that Knox does too. They both have things in common including a bum leg and the mistrust and inability to connect to others unless they know they can trust them. Both dog and human can be stubborn but once you get past their guard you will have a friend for life.
Knox and Danielle’s relationship is hard to define, at first it evolves around her trying to get Knox to adopt Sarge by texting him cute pictures of the dog. Then when Knox ends up buying a house from an elderly woman that Danielle is close to, they are thrown together as she helps him move in. Their relationship is a slow building one with mistakes made on both sides. In fact I think it was a little to slow, although there are reasons. I believe that it could have been sped up a little and I wish that Danielle told Knox her secret a lot earlier.
Their relationship is sweet, loving, and hot. The lovemaking between them is like nothing they felt except when they were going out in high school. That spark didn’t take much to rekindle into a flame. A wonderful romance I heartily recommend.
March 18, 2021
4.5 Stars
A sexy marine hero, a lovely heroine and adorable dogs – how can you possibly resist Mara Wells’ latest enchanting and immensely entertaining new contemporary romance, Paws for Love?
When she was in high school, Danielle had lots of plans for her future – plans that involved the boy she was crazy about: Knox Donovan. The thought of spending the rest of her life without Knox by her side was simply unbearable, however, when fate tragically tore them apart, the two young lovers had had no other choice but to go their separate ways. Knox had become a marine and he hoped that all his dangerous missions would take his mind off the only woman he has ever loved whilst Danielle had settled in the town she had lived in all her life and put all of her time, energy and efforts into her job finding forever homes for the beautiful retired greyhound racers which she fosters. Over a decade might have gone by since that night they had bid a reluctant goodbye to one another, but their feelings for one another are still as strong and intense as ever. Will Danielle and Knox give their love another try? Or are there too many obstacles standing in their way for the two of them to ever have any hope of a future together?
Knox has been in a town for over a year, but despite having previously had no qualms about leaping headlong into danger, he hasn’t yet mustered up the courage to see Danielle again. Knox had thought that being a marine was his life’s calling – until an accident had put paid to all his plans. Back in town and desperately trying to figure out what he is going to be doing next with his life, Knox knows that he cannot continue to avoid bumping into Danielle, but one second in her company is all it takes for him to realize that there will never be another woman who could make him feel the way she makes him feel. But is it too late for the two of them? Will Knox and Danielle be able to let go of the past and embrace this second chance? Or will a stubborn but completely gorgeous greyhound end up helping them admit the truth about how they really feel about one another?
Seeing the way Knox has bonded with retired greyhound Sarge ends up melting all of Danielle’s resolves, but having trusted him once with her heart only for him to shatter it into a million tiny pieces, will she end up getting hurt once more? Or will Danielle finally get the happy ending which has long been denied to her?
An adorable contemporary romance that expertly blends humor, heat and heart, Mara Wells’ Paws for Love is simply delightful! Knox and Danielle are two brilliant characters that jump off the pages and will have your rooting for them from the get-go. Knox is a gorgeous, brooding and flawed hero you cannot help but fall in love with and Danielle is such a lovely heroine you will cheer for her from the very start. Add delicious banter, sizzling chemistry, intense emotion and gorgeous dogs who will melt your heart and you have a first-rate contemporary romance you will struggle to put down.
Warm-hearted, witty and wonderful, Mara Wells’ Paws for Love is a thoroughly enjoyable tale readers will not want to miss.
A sexy marine hero, a lovely heroine and adorable dogs – how can you possibly resist Mara Wells’ latest enchanting and immensely entertaining new contemporary romance, Paws for Love?
When she was in high school, Danielle had lots of plans for her future – plans that involved the boy she was crazy about: Knox Donovan. The thought of spending the rest of her life without Knox by her side was simply unbearable, however, when fate tragically tore them apart, the two young lovers had had no other choice but to go their separate ways. Knox had become a marine and he hoped that all his dangerous missions would take his mind off the only woman he has ever loved whilst Danielle had settled in the town she had lived in all her life and put all of her time, energy and efforts into her job finding forever homes for the beautiful retired greyhound racers which she fosters. Over a decade might have gone by since that night they had bid a reluctant goodbye to one another, but their feelings for one another are still as strong and intense as ever. Will Danielle and Knox give their love another try? Or are there too many obstacles standing in their way for the two of them to ever have any hope of a future together?
Knox has been in a town for over a year, but despite having previously had no qualms about leaping headlong into danger, he hasn’t yet mustered up the courage to see Danielle again. Knox had thought that being a marine was his life’s calling – until an accident had put paid to all his plans. Back in town and desperately trying to figure out what he is going to be doing next with his life, Knox knows that he cannot continue to avoid bumping into Danielle, but one second in her company is all it takes for him to realize that there will never be another woman who could make him feel the way she makes him feel. But is it too late for the two of them? Will Knox and Danielle be able to let go of the past and embrace this second chance? Or will a stubborn but completely gorgeous greyhound end up helping them admit the truth about how they really feel about one another?
Seeing the way Knox has bonded with retired greyhound Sarge ends up melting all of Danielle’s resolves, but having trusted him once with her heart only for him to shatter it into a million tiny pieces, will she end up getting hurt once more? Or will Danielle finally get the happy ending which has long been denied to her?
An adorable contemporary romance that expertly blends humor, heat and heart, Mara Wells’ Paws for Love is simply delightful! Knox and Danielle are two brilliant characters that jump off the pages and will have your rooting for them from the get-go. Knox is a gorgeous, brooding and flawed hero you cannot help but fall in love with and Danielle is such a lovely heroine you will cheer for her from the very start. Add delicious banter, sizzling chemistry, intense emotion and gorgeous dogs who will melt your heart and you have a first-rate contemporary romance you will struggle to put down.
Warm-hearted, witty and wonderful, Mara Wells’ Paws for Love is a thoroughly enjoyable tale readers will not want to miss.
February 26, 2021
Somehow, I once again accepted an ARC of a book that is part of a series without realizing it was part of series. In this case, while it may have been nice to know a bit more about the different personalities of Knox’s brothers and their spouses, I don’t think it was detrimental that I didn’t read the previous books. By far, Knox is my favorite character in this book. I would have loved to understand Danielle a bit better, but it doesn’t seem she was really a significant presence in those other stories, so it most likely wouldn’t have mattered if I had read them.
I liked this story, but it had quite a few slow spots for me. There were definitely places in the middle where I wanted Danielle and Knox to get on with it already. It wasn’t even what I would call a slow burn. It was just an unlit candle. There was decent chemistry between Knox and Danielle, but the will they/won’t they got a bit overplayed.
Danielle is a wonderful a person. I don’t want you to think she’s a terrible character or anything like that. She really has a huge heart, but she’s more comfortable with animals than humans. Danielle has never really felt as though she fit in with those around her. As much as I liked her, I also felt she was all over the map with Knox. Was she mad at him or not? Had she forgiven him or not? Was she going to randomly through the past in his face when it didn’t seem that was even the issue? It made me feel as though the author didn’t know where to take this character, and that bummed me out.
Knox had his issues, too. He is really quite a terrible communicator. Plus, the man is beyond stubborn. It seemed only his brothers felt they could put him in his place. And since nobody else ever did, he still had very unrealistic expectations for how his life was going to play out.
While Knox and Danielle had some chemistry, I also felt that I was often being told and shown when it came to their relationship. There are plenty of words given to the inner workings of both of their brains, but far too few scenes where they have any sort of meaningful conversations to help me to believe they are rebuilding their relationship and not just stepping into their old shoes that they’ve grown out of.
There is definitely a lot of potential here. The author does a beautiful job with her descriptions of the dogs and their emotions. I’m not even a dog person, but I enjoyed all of the fur-babies in this story. I felt like I got to know their personalities. There was just a lack of cohesion where I felt the story sort of meandered for a while as it was trying to figure out which direction to take. Then, when it was time for the emotions, it was quickly tied up in a neat bow. I believe I’ll give this new-to-me author another try if ever the chance comes up again.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
I liked this story, but it had quite a few slow spots for me. There were definitely places in the middle where I wanted Danielle and Knox to get on with it already. It wasn’t even what I would call a slow burn. It was just an unlit candle. There was decent chemistry between Knox and Danielle, but the will they/won’t they got a bit overplayed.
Danielle is a wonderful a person. I don’t want you to think she’s a terrible character or anything like that. She really has a huge heart, but she’s more comfortable with animals than humans. Danielle has never really felt as though she fit in with those around her. As much as I liked her, I also felt she was all over the map with Knox. Was she mad at him or not? Had she forgiven him or not? Was she going to randomly through the past in his face when it didn’t seem that was even the issue? It made me feel as though the author didn’t know where to take this character, and that bummed me out.
Knox had his issues, too. He is really quite a terrible communicator. Plus, the man is beyond stubborn. It seemed only his brothers felt they could put him in his place. And since nobody else ever did, he still had very unrealistic expectations for how his life was going to play out.
While Knox and Danielle had some chemistry, I also felt that I was often being told and shown when it came to their relationship. There are plenty of words given to the inner workings of both of their brains, but far too few scenes where they have any sort of meaningful conversations to help me to believe they are rebuilding their relationship and not just stepping into their old shoes that they’ve grown out of.
There is definitely a lot of potential here. The author does a beautiful job with her descriptions of the dogs and their emotions. I’m not even a dog person, but I enjoyed all of the fur-babies in this story. I felt like I got to know their personalities. There was just a lack of cohesion where I felt the story sort of meandered for a while as it was trying to figure out which direction to take. Then, when it was time for the emotions, it was quickly tied up in a neat bow. I believe I’ll give this new-to-me author another try if ever the chance comes up again.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
February 21, 2021
Paws for Love by Mara Wells is the 3rd book in her Fur Haven Dog Park series. Fur Haven Park and the Dorothy apartment complex is where the Donovan Brothers are fixing up both places. In the first two books, two of the brothers found their mates, and in Paws for Love, the third brother Knox is our hero.
Knox, was set in his decision to stay in the military as a career, but a serious injury to his leg causes him to be discharged. He has a hard time dealing with this injury, but works hard with his brothers to fix up the project they are working on. Knox, has been away a long time, and when he sees the girl whom he left years ago, memories and regrets flood back.
We meet Danielle Morrow, our heroine, at the start, with her helping save a dog in her veterinarian father’s animal hospital. Danielle helps rescue greyhound racing dogs, to help find forever homes for them, as she is an adoption coordinator for Homestretch; she has two dogs of her own (Luna & Flurry), which were foster fails. Danielle is friends with the wives of the two Donovan Brothers, and is a regular at Fur Haven Park, where she brings the dogs. She happens to see Knox, and tries to avoid him, since she has not forgotten that he walked away from her all those years ago.
When Danielle rescues another greyhound, whom she names, Sarge, she takes him home to help rehabilitate him. The dog has a leg issue, and when he sees Knox, Sarge has found his master; but will Knox allow himself to open up to the dog. Danielle and Knox decide to help with Sarge, and agree to be friends. Knox knows he still cares for Danielle, but realizes there is no future, and in a short time their friendship escalates to friends with benefits; with Danielle knowing that he will leave when the project is over. Will they have a second chance to fall in love again, after 15 years? You will have to read this book to find out.
What follows is a cute, fun, heartwarming, enjoyable adventure, as their romance heats up, but the issues were still there. The best part of this book and series, are the wonderful dogs that play a large part of this story. Such sweet fun. It was also wonderful to see Riley, Caleb, Lance, Carrie, Grams again, and I loved the friendship between Sydney and Danielle, as well as the dogs. I loved Danielle, who was a great heroine (the ladies of all three books have been wonderful), and understood her hesitation to allow herself to be hurt again, when Knox would leave. I did like Knox, but thought his determination to leave again was annoying, but later he does come through.
Paws for Love was a heartwarming story about family, second chances, friendships, dogs, dog parks and finding love again. Mara Wells did an excellent job in writing this story. I suggest you read Paws for Love, or start this series with the first book.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Knox, was set in his decision to stay in the military as a career, but a serious injury to his leg causes him to be discharged. He has a hard time dealing with this injury, but works hard with his brothers to fix up the project they are working on. Knox, has been away a long time, and when he sees the girl whom he left years ago, memories and regrets flood back.
We meet Danielle Morrow, our heroine, at the start, with her helping save a dog in her veterinarian father’s animal hospital. Danielle helps rescue greyhound racing dogs, to help find forever homes for them, as she is an adoption coordinator for Homestretch; she has two dogs of her own (Luna & Flurry), which were foster fails. Danielle is friends with the wives of the two Donovan Brothers, and is a regular at Fur Haven Park, where she brings the dogs. She happens to see Knox, and tries to avoid him, since she has not forgotten that he walked away from her all those years ago.
When Danielle rescues another greyhound, whom she names, Sarge, she takes him home to help rehabilitate him. The dog has a leg issue, and when he sees Knox, Sarge has found his master; but will Knox allow himself to open up to the dog. Danielle and Knox decide to help with Sarge, and agree to be friends. Knox knows he still cares for Danielle, but realizes there is no future, and in a short time their friendship escalates to friends with benefits; with Danielle knowing that he will leave when the project is over. Will they have a second chance to fall in love again, after 15 years? You will have to read this book to find out.
What follows is a cute, fun, heartwarming, enjoyable adventure, as their romance heats up, but the issues were still there. The best part of this book and series, are the wonderful dogs that play a large part of this story. Such sweet fun. It was also wonderful to see Riley, Caleb, Lance, Carrie, Grams again, and I loved the friendship between Sydney and Danielle, as well as the dogs. I loved Danielle, who was a great heroine (the ladies of all three books have been wonderful), and understood her hesitation to allow herself to be hurt again, when Knox would leave. I did like Knox, but thought his determination to leave again was annoying, but later he does come through.
Paws for Love was a heartwarming story about family, second chances, friendships, dogs, dog parks and finding love again. Mara Wells did an excellent job in writing this story. I suggest you read Paws for Love, or start this series with the first book.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
April 15, 2021
I’m sorry, I really wanted to like this book because I loved the first in the series (5 stars!!!), but it was just NOT for me. The book dragged on way too long, and I swear 90% of the book gave me whiplash because the characters couldn’t decide what the heck they wanted. One second they were making out and then they didn’t speak for a week. The pacing was all off, and the lack of communication got ridiculous. The book had potential but just fell really flat for me and I had to physically force myself to finish it ):
TW: previous miscarriage, infertility (endometriosis and hysterectomy)
Additional TW: language about “metaphorical” binging from a plus-sized heroine. Let me explain. The MC is described as plus-sized and is often self-conscious about her body. At the 55% mark, there is a passage that introduces the metaphor of “starving” and “binging” in the context of physical contact with the love interest. I’ve included the passage below where this metaphor first appears. Basically, she has “starved herself” of Knox’s touch for 15 years and now she is “binging” on him. This struck me as a very uncomfortable comparison, especially considering the additional context. This really pulled me out of the story and rubbed me the wrong way. I’m not sure if I’m overthinking the passage, but I felt I should mention it here in case that TW is helpful to someone.
“In her twenties, she’d tried lots of ways to lose weight, cutting out carbs and sugar for weeks, even months at a time. Hell, she’d been vegan for a whole year, a dietary choice undone by severe abdominal cramps and the belief that a slice of cheesecake would make her feel better. One piece turned into two and two into four, and she’d felt exactly like she was feeling now—out of control. She was old enough to know better now. Starvation always led to binging, and there was no doubt she’d been starving for Knox’s touch. If only she’d woken up early enough to sneak out. But no, she’d overslept, and Knox was looking at her with those midnight-blue eyes in a way that did something to her insides, made them all gooey. She didn’t want to starve herself again, but she couldn’t have ice cream for dinner every night—not without paying a price.”
TW: previous miscarriage, infertility (endometriosis and hysterectomy)
Additional TW: language about “metaphorical” binging from a plus-sized heroine. Let me explain. The MC is described as plus-sized and is often self-conscious about her body. At the 55% mark, there is a passage that introduces the metaphor of “starving” and “binging” in the context of physical contact with the love interest. I’ve included the passage below where this metaphor first appears. Basically, she has “starved herself” of Knox’s touch for 15 years and now she is “binging” on him. This struck me as a very uncomfortable comparison, especially considering the additional context. This really pulled me out of the story and rubbed me the wrong way. I’m not sure if I’m overthinking the passage, but I felt I should mention it here in case that TW is helpful to someone.
“In her twenties, she’d tried lots of ways to lose weight, cutting out carbs and sugar for weeks, even months at a time. Hell, she’d been vegan for a whole year, a dietary choice undone by severe abdominal cramps and the belief that a slice of cheesecake would make her feel better. One piece turned into two and two into four, and she’d felt exactly like she was feeling now—out of control. She was old enough to know better now. Starvation always led to binging, and there was no doubt she’d been starving for Knox’s touch. If only she’d woken up early enough to sneak out. But no, she’d overslept, and Knox was looking at her with those midnight-blue eyes in a way that did something to her insides, made them all gooey. She didn’t want to starve herself again, but she couldn’t have ice cream for dinner every night—not without paying a price.”
January 22, 2021
"That's the thing about dogs. They don't need a reason to love you. They just do."
It's been fifteen years since Miami Beach high-school sweethearts Danielle Morrow and Knox Donovan have seen each other. The last time, Danielle had lost their baby and Knox was enlisting with the Marines. They never got to say goodbye.
Now Danielle runs foster care for retired racing greyhounds and works with her father, Dr. Morrow at his clinic. She has two rescues of her own and she guards her heart from ever loving again.
Knox quietly sneaks into town and starts working construction with his two brothers. He has a leg injury after surviving an IED in Afghanistan and regularly goes to therapy, hoping someday he'll be able to return to combat. He's much more hardened and protective of his heart, as well.
Both are secretly happy to see the other at the opening of the Fur Haven Dog Park. but there is still a lot of hurt and unspoken words between them. Both think the other doesn't want them, but nothing could be further from the truth.
PAWS FOR LOVE is all about second chances and recognizing your soul mate no matter how scary it is. Eventually Danielle and Knox try to give their relationship another chance, but is it too late? Have they hurt one another too much?
I like the main characters of Danielle and Knox and their menagerie of quirky friends. I also appreciated that the book takes place where I live, in Miami. It was fun to recognize some of the locations used in the book.
PAWS FOR LOVE is the perfect book to wrap your heart around this Valentine's Day weekend.
February 3, 2021
What can I say about this book? This book has everything in it! Puppies, puppy love that eventually matures into a forever love, good wholesome family values, a great community, great characters, rip your heart out angst, all of the feels. The emotions are just all over the place. One minute you want to cry the next you want to scream and throw something at the wall. I was so into this book that I just did not want it to end. I loved it from the word go all the way to the ending.
Dani and Know, wow, what a dynamite combination. And talk about stubbornness on both of their parts! You didn't know one minute to the next on whether you want to smack them upside their heads or lock them into a room until they dealt with all their emotional baggage.
This is my kind of romance. Full of heart, heat, and passion but still sweet enough that I feel great at the end of the story and begging for more. Because I am! Begging for more! I cannot wait for the next book. I really hope that these two love birds will have some kind of role in the next one and we get to get another glimpse of all of those sweet loving puppies!!!
I loved this book! Not a boring second to be found. It made me feel so blessed that I had my own husband and puppy to hug and squeeze after reading this. Mara Wells is a wonderful writer. Her books are all heart and all puppies.
I received this book to read and review by NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
Dani and Know, wow, what a dynamite combination. And talk about stubbornness on both of their parts! You didn't know one minute to the next on whether you want to smack them upside their heads or lock them into a room until they dealt with all their emotional baggage.
This is my kind of romance. Full of heart, heat, and passion but still sweet enough that I feel great at the end of the story and begging for more. Because I am! Begging for more! I cannot wait for the next book. I really hope that these two love birds will have some kind of role in the next one and we get to get another glimpse of all of those sweet loving puppies!!!
I loved this book! Not a boring second to be found. It made me feel so blessed that I had my own husband and puppy to hug and squeeze after reading this. Mara Wells is a wonderful writer. Her books are all heart and all puppies.
I received this book to read and review by NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
February 23, 2021
I wanted to like this book so much--rescue greyhounds! Puppies! A second chance romance with a former military hero! A plus-sized(ish--the cover model definitely doesn't reflect it) heroine!--but I just...didn't. There was a whole lot of two steps forward, seventy steps back going on in Danielle and Knox's relationship--they kiss! Then nothing happens for ages, because one or both of them is ignoring the other. Then they are sleeping together! Nightly! And it's the best they've ever had! But they're "just friends" and even that has an expiration date for some reason. What they almost never do? IS COMMUNICATE. Seriously, Danielle has a *major* secret she's not telling him about, that is the entire reason (in her head) that they can't be together, and even when secret-adjacent comments/issues/etc. come up, she doesn't say a word about it. Especially since she's still mad at Knox for deciding what was "best" for them both without consulting her when he left for the Marines after high school, it's a little rich that she's doing the same thing now by not telling him why they can't possibly have a future together.
Then she tells him, he's cool with it (and very sorry, yada yada yada), and boom! HEA.
So...yeah. Not really my cup of tea. The other brothers' books might be better, but IDK.
Rating: 3 stars / C-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Then she tells him, he's cool with it (and very sorry, yada yada yada), and boom! HEA.
So...yeah. Not really my cup of tea. The other brothers' books might be better, but IDK.
Rating: 3 stars / C-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 26, 2021
This second chance romance book is a fun read throughout. Knox is back in town helping his family rebuild a condo complex when he runs into his past love Danielle. Danielle is running Homestretch, where she finds loving forever homes for greyhounds. Sarge being one of them. Sometimes dogs pick their owners, and in this case that is exactly what Sarge does. He bonds with Knox right away, as they both share a leg injury. From there Danielle uses Sarge as a front for seeing Knox more and more often, so from the moment these two run into each other again, to the moment it ends you're left cheering for them to wind up together. And for Sarge to have the forever home he wants. The way the author incorporates the character's love of dogs and how those dogs communicate their love for their human parents is simply adorable. In addition to the second chance love between Knox and Danielle there is the budding friendships that Danielle has. She has spent a lot of her adult life without true girlfriends and it was nice to see how she develops those friendships alongside her romantic one with Knox. The women she befriends truly want her to succeed and will do anything to make that happen. Overall, this book was lighthearted and a quick read for anyone looking for love's second chance.
I received and ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received and ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2021
Paws for Love is the third book in the Fur Haven Dog Park series by Mara Wells, and is my favorite of the three. This book is a second chance romance between Knox and Danielle who were together in high school but broke up following a miscarriage at the age of 18. Knox went on to join the Marines and Danielle leaned on her father as she put her life back together. Fifteen years later they are reunited with past struggles and secrets to work through.
I really did love this book. I liked both characters and how they revealed that neither one had gotten over their love for the other. The greyhound dogs in this one were adorable, especially Sarge who found his person in Knox. We are able to see how the other couples from the previous books are doing as well as their dogs. The only thing I wished was that Danielle would have trusted Knox with her secret sooner and given them more time to work through it. Once the secret (which I figured out early on) was revealed, the conclusion was rather abrupt. I wholly recommend this book and series. While not absolutely necessary to read the books in the Fur Haven Dog Park series in order, I think the reader would have better insight into the story if they were to do so.
My sincere thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased opinion of it.
I really did love this book. I liked both characters and how they revealed that neither one had gotten over their love for the other. The greyhound dogs in this one were adorable, especially Sarge who found his person in Knox. We are able to see how the other couples from the previous books are doing as well as their dogs. The only thing I wished was that Danielle would have trusted Knox with her secret sooner and given them more time to work through it. Once the secret (which I figured out early on) was revealed, the conclusion was rather abrupt. I wholly recommend this book and series. While not absolutely necessary to read the books in the Fur Haven Dog Park series in order, I think the reader would have better insight into the story if they were to do so.
My sincere thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased opinion of it.
June 7, 2021
Paws for Love (Fur Haven Dog Park #3). By Mara Wells. 2021. Sourcebooks Casablanca (ARC eBook).
After fifteen years, Knox Donovan is back in Miami Beach and stirring up all sorts of distraction for Danielle Morrow. Knox and Dani were together in high school, but are pretty much strangers now. Dani works at her dad’s vet clinic and runs a greyhound rescue program, Homestretch. Knox is out of the Marines after an IED severely injured his leg two years ago. He’s still trying to rehabilitate and is working on a large renovation project with his two brothers.
When her latest foster, Sarge, readily bonds with Knox at the dog park, Dani hopes to have Knox adopt Sarge but is determined to kept her and Knox’s interactions on a friendly basis. But Knox is pretty sure he wants a second chance with the only woman he has ever loved.
First time reading Mara Wells. I enjoyed the story. There is a lot of healing that needs to happen for and between Knox and Dani and there are plenty of family, dogs and puppies helping out. While it was a little slow for me in the beginning and a secret takes its sweet time in revealing, Paws for Love is an engaging and steamy second-chance romance.
*Sourcebooks Casablanca ARC via NetGalley
After fifteen years, Knox Donovan is back in Miami Beach and stirring up all sorts of distraction for Danielle Morrow. Knox and Dani were together in high school, but are pretty much strangers now. Dani works at her dad’s vet clinic and runs a greyhound rescue program, Homestretch. Knox is out of the Marines after an IED severely injured his leg two years ago. He’s still trying to rehabilitate and is working on a large renovation project with his two brothers.
When her latest foster, Sarge, readily bonds with Knox at the dog park, Dani hopes to have Knox adopt Sarge but is determined to kept her and Knox’s interactions on a friendly basis. But Knox is pretty sure he wants a second chance with the only woman he has ever loved.
First time reading Mara Wells. I enjoyed the story. There is a lot of healing that needs to happen for and between Knox and Dani and there are plenty of family, dogs and puppies helping out. While it was a little slow for me in the beginning and a secret takes its sweet time in revealing, Paws for Love is an engaging and steamy second-chance romance.
*Sourcebooks Casablanca ARC via NetGalley
July 27, 2025
This novel was of the romance genre. More specifically, it was a second chance romance between Danielle Morrow and Knox Donovan. In romances, I do not like a lot of backstory because it detracts from the story moving forward, but this story offered the right amount. I liked the balance. The comparing and contrasting between then and now made their second chance romance genuine.
With respect to the plotline, the beginning of this novel was difficult to read. I am an animal lover, and Danielle rescued greyhounds. She rescued Sarge whom someone took a baseball bat to and broke his leg. I hated reading references to his limp or his pain. The image of animal abuse did get less pronounced in my mind as the mentioning of it became fewer, which occurred as this novel progressed. As much as I am an animal lover, however, knowing that Sarge impregnated Flurry because Danielle was an irresponsible dog mom was difficult to read. I am more interested in controlling an overcrowded pet population than adding to it, and in my opinion, Danielle lacked a life that would have distracted her from getting Flurry spayed when healthy. No excuse! The ending of this novel did make me feel better, though, because Luna, Flurry and Sarge as well as their puppies inherited a big backyard.
If asked about Mara Wells’s Fur Haven Dog Park Series, I think her writing deteriorated with each book.
With respect to the plotline, the beginning of this novel was difficult to read. I am an animal lover, and Danielle rescued greyhounds. She rescued Sarge whom someone took a baseball bat to and broke his leg. I hated reading references to his limp or his pain. The image of animal abuse did get less pronounced in my mind as the mentioning of it became fewer, which occurred as this novel progressed. As much as I am an animal lover, however, knowing that Sarge impregnated Flurry because Danielle was an irresponsible dog mom was difficult to read. I am more interested in controlling an overcrowded pet population than adding to it, and in my opinion, Danielle lacked a life that would have distracted her from getting Flurry spayed when healthy. No excuse! The ending of this novel did make me feel better, though, because Luna, Flurry and Sarge as well as their puppies inherited a big backyard.
If asked about Mara Wells’s Fur Haven Dog Park Series, I think her writing deteriorated with each book.
January 17, 2021
Another Donovan reunites with an ex. A lovely second-chance romance story.
Paws for Love by Mara Wells is the third book in her Fur Haven Dog Park series. This book is a great addition to the series. The third Donovan brother, Knox Donovan is the hero of the story. He is reunited with the girl he left behind after high school graduation when he joined the marines. He's back in Miami Beach helping with the remodel of the Dorothy the family's aging 55 plus Art Deco condo building after a severe leg injury ended his military career.
Danielle Morrow never made it to veterinarian school but has fulfilled her life assisting at her father's vet practice and working as the adoption coordinator for her greyhound rescue program, Homestretch. Danielle has mixed feelings about Knox but seeing him again has awakened old feelings. But due to her big secret they can't have a Happily Ever After or can they?
I enjoyed this story, especially all the scenes with the greyhounds. I loved how the rescue greyhound Sarge fell for Knox at first sight. The scene when the greyhound puppies were born was very poignant.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Paws for Love by Mara Wells is the third book in her Fur Haven Dog Park series. This book is a great addition to the series. The third Donovan brother, Knox Donovan is the hero of the story. He is reunited with the girl he left behind after high school graduation when he joined the marines. He's back in Miami Beach helping with the remodel of the Dorothy the family's aging 55 plus Art Deco condo building after a severe leg injury ended his military career.
Danielle Morrow never made it to veterinarian school but has fulfilled her life assisting at her father's vet practice and working as the adoption coordinator for her greyhound rescue program, Homestretch. Danielle has mixed feelings about Knox but seeing him again has awakened old feelings. But due to her big secret they can't have a Happily Ever After or can they?
I enjoyed this story, especially all the scenes with the greyhounds. I loved how the rescue greyhound Sarge fell for Knox at first sight. The scene when the greyhound puppies were born was very poignant.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
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