Keeping Katie

Gold Coast Retrievers #14

by Stella Quinn

Two lonely hearts … one matchmaking dog.

Katie is lonely, but she’s hiding it from everyone by working long shifts at Redwood Cove Airport and volunteering with her therapy dog, Rose, on Heartbreak Row at the local animal refuge. She put her emotions into a holding pattern a year ago when her uncle died, and that strategy is working just fine ... at least, it is until her sister goes missing.

Anton is a celebrity thriller writer, but when the real world started imitating the plot of his last blockbuster, guilt made him lose his nerve. Now he’s hiding away in Redwood Cove writing the puzzle page for the local newspaper. Nothing has stirred his interest for months, but then Katie comes knocking on his door.

When Katie's sister went missing, the only clue she left behind was a torn out crossword from Anton's puzzle page. Thrown together on the hunt for Katie's missing sister, Anton has his own difficult truth to face: he needs to come to terms with his guilt if he is going to find a way of keeping Katie (and matchmaker Rose) part of his future.

Find out if Rose can work her therapy magic and bring peace to these two wounded hearts. This sweet and charming tale is guaranteed to bring joy to your heart, so why not order your copy and start reading today!

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2020

About the author

Drama | Romance | Mystery

Stella Quinn is a multi-award winning author.

She writes outback drama for Harper Collins HQ Fiction, and she's currently scribbling away at a small town rom-com mystery mashup in her spare time.

She loves reading GoodReads reviews so don't be shy!

Reviews

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading something by this author and my first book in the Gold Coast Retrievers series. This is an emotional story and has as you might suspect, a strong people-animal companion pairing. The book is about Katie whose sister goes missing. They both share ownership of the house Katie lives in. Every week the sisters communicate through a crossword puzzle in the local paper. When Katie doesn't get her weekly letter from her sister Vee, she begins to panic and files a missing persons report. She also contacts the person writing the crossword puzzles, Anton. Anton has his own anxieties he is dealing with. He is actually an author who writes thrillers. He is temporarily writing crossword puzzles for the local paper. Anton and Katie connect immediately and he helps her piece together clues to find her sister. As they spend more time together, their romance begins to blossom. The characters are all wonderful and endearing and you can't help but fall in love with them, especially the dogs! This is a clean and sweet cozy mystery romance that I enjoyed very much and would definitely recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Shearer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella Quinn brings us book 14 of the Gold Coast Retrievers series with Keeping Katie.
Katie hasn’t gotten over her losing her uncle a year ago and has become very dependent on her sister. When she disappears she panics and goes to the local newspaper for clues since her sister sent her the crossword puzzle every week so they would be doing something together (not knowing that Katie hated puzzles but loved being connected to her sister.)
Anton volunteers at the local newspaper to help him put his anxiety of not being able to write another book out of his mind.
A chance meeting and the two become engrossed in finding Katie’s sister. Katie’s Golden Retriever, Rose, helps her with her emotional problems. Working with Anton becomes something that puts Katie into a different situation where she can be herself and learns she is independent without her sister.
Can two injured souls help the other heal or will they decide it isn’t worth the time and go back to the way they are comfortable with? Will Prince find his forever home? Will the refuge get the funding they need?
I couldn’t put this book down it kept my interest and so I read until 4 AM! I know you will enjoy this book as well.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw the title snd a handsome Golden pictured kn the cover, I admit I thought the Golden was Katie.

Katie is an air traffic controller - yes mom. She’s not the dog. Rose is a Golden who is a therapy dog specializing in working with other dogs who have fear/ any/ aggression issues. Katie herself has struggled s bit since the death of the uncle who raised her.

Anton is a bigwig author who has worked part time at a small town paper since he had a blockbuster that was too much like the pandemic that hit in the real world - guilt issues about his big dollar earnings.

Strong people-animal companion pairings with relatable relationship issues.

I really enjoy the dog therapy/ training / rescue elements.

This is an emotionally intense story with some canine destruction of toys and rosebushes, snd personal growth for the two legged people- along with dome liss of pillows and shoes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this story of two lonely people who have put the world at bay and although they are around people, have found they really just want to retreat to their personal comfort zones of being alone at home, for different reasons. Anton, a famous thriller writer, was spooked when his last bestseller came too close to happening, left the writing world and hasn't written since so he retreated to another city and works for a local paper doing the crossword puzzle section! Katie, hasn't recovered from her uncle's death and is overly dependent on her sister but when she can't connect with her sister, she freaks out and jumps to conclusions. She enlists Anton's helps in tracking down her sister and they become friends which helps them both out. Rose, the golden retriever, is a sweet addition to the story. I really identified with Anton and found I loved his character! I enjoyed this story and the many facets of both characters. A sweet romance that will melt your heart!

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that Katie was a little too happy for someone who filed a missing person's report on her sister Vee with the police. She connects with Anton right away as they work together to solve Vee's disappearance. I loved her therapy dog Rosie and that she worked with fear aggression dogs to help them overcome that behavior in the hopes of re-homing them. It was sad to read about her lab growing up being put down for that behavior. Thriller writer Anton is overcoming his own anxieties and writers block by taking a break to write crossword puzzles, respond to Dear Abby like letters, and put together a section of pictures people send in. I feel the same way Katie does about crosswords. I'd rather do Sudoku any day instead. Katie and Anton's relationship progresses quickly in a short amount of time. This was a clean cozy mystery romance.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anton, a famous suspense author, suffers from anxiety since one of his books was used as a blueprint for a crime and thus is a nervous wreck. He finds solace in working anonymously as a writer for a small local newspaper, composing the entertainment page.
By accident he meets Katie and they are drawn toward each other. Katie, too, is fighting her own demons and understands Anton's feelings.
When her sister vanishes, they begin to put clues together to find out what happened to her.
A rom com story with a touch of suspense and of human interest. I loved Anton's interactions with Katie at the beginning and Rose, Katie's Golden, trying to bring both together. Definitely a well-written and entertaining book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie is lonely. She's not heard from her sister Vee (who co owns the house) in a week. Katie goes into full panic. She reports her missing to the police, calls Vee way to many times and even calls Vee's job but nothing comes of any of it. She decides since her sister has been sending her clues from the crossword puzzle from the paper she would visit the paper there she meets Tuna Yango AKA Anton Price who writes the puzzles. Somehow he agrees to help her search for Vee. They become instant friends. Can they work through the clues and find a relationship for themselves?
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice story about an air traffic controller named Katie whose sister (Veronica) goes missing. There has been an interesting communication between the two sisters every week through the sharing of crossword puzzles, which turn out to be written by a man named Anton who usually writes thriller novels. Katie and Anton begin to team up, looking for clues in the puzzles to her sister's disappearance. It was fun to try to figure out the puzzle clues myself, and fun to watch the romance grow between Katie and Anton. I only wish there had been more possible danger to Veronica to build up the suspense a little higher. Otherwise it was a very nice love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sally May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie and her sister Vee are close and both share ownership of the house Katie lives in. Katie does not get her normal weekly letter from Vee and panics that something is wrong. She tries calling her and even goes to her apartment and place of work. No body knows where she is. She even files a missing person report. Katie also reaches out to Anton Price ( well it is him but she was looking for the person who writes the crosswords in the paper) They hit it off as they are searching for Vee. Can Anton and Katie work through things or will they always be at odds? Will they be able to find Vee and figure out what happened?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori R · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, cute story in The Gold Coast Retrievers series. I enjoyed the mystery, the crossword puzzle clues, and the anagrams, the retrievers, and especially Katie.

Katie was still sad over her Uncle Roly, who died a year ago. He left his house to Katie and her sister but Katie's sister has since moved away and suddenly she disappeared. I enjoyed how the disappearance turned to a mystery and eventually led Katie to Anton, a thriller novel writer who has not been able to write. Katie and Anton end up helping each other and fall in love. Now Anton has one desire and that is Keeping Katie. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Vicki or Dennis Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well written and very enjoyable addition to this beloved series. The dogs are awesome and Katie does an excellent job in her devotion to not only her own dog, but to poor Prince that she is trying to rehabilitate. This story has great characters that make you laugh, cry or rejoice with them. Anton, our Hero, proves to be a man of many talents that keeps the book moving at a nice pace. Katie herself has more than her aptitude with dogs which adds another dimension to this story. A sweet, clean romance that I enjoyed very much.

I received an ARC copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest review with my own personal opinions.
VICKI FROM WYOMING

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie and Anton make a cute pair, she has thrown herself into work after her Uncle died and her sister moved away not long after and Anton is doing everything but work on his next book. They get to know each other when Katie's sister goes missing and I loved to watch how they slowly work through their issues and lean on each other not realising how much they are helping each other although neither are sure of how to deal with their growing feelings. There are some good laughs, a bit of mystery, being lost in the world around you and finding your anchor.. oh and cute dogs!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a sweet story of two troubled people, Katie and Anton who were brought together by the mystery disappearance of Katie's sister. Katie and Anton discover each other as they join forces to solve clues left by her sister. Katie has a therapy dog, Rose, who plays a part in the budding relationship along with the local animal rescue centre and another troubled canine, Prince. I really enjoyed the solving of the clues, especially the cryptic crosswords as I am hopeless at them. Definitely a lovely sweet romance and a great addition to the series.

[SEng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie is still trying to get over the loss of her uncle. She and sister Vee are very close and when Katie doesn’t hear from her she panics . Trying to call her and go to her apartment she isn’t there. After filing a missing persons report, Katie heads to the local newspaper looking for the Anton who puts together the crossword puzzles. Can these two figure out what happened to Vee from the clues in the puzzles? What happens when the attraction between these two starts to blossom? I enjoyed this romance. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[HiDesert Granny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down❣️

I had previously read The Cockatoo Trail and The Umbrella Diaries, which were good, but Keeping Katie is so much more. Loved the humor, vocabulary and word play, not to mention the reciprocity between right and left brain people (my designation, not Ms Quinn’s - she is much more fun than that).

I had a Samoyed and an Akita but never a Golden Retriever. They sound as smart as my babies were. Loved the story, the characters and the writing. What more can I say?

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really sweet story of Katie and Anton. Katie has not fully gotten over her Uncle's death and is overly dependent on her sister. When her sister goes away for a few days she panics and thinks she has disappeared which leads her to Anton. Anton is a renowned author who is hiding because his last novel was too close to real life. Anton and Katie discover they can face the world better together with the help of two very adorable furry friends.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lose a little bit of my heart with every Gold Coast Retrievers story. I can relate to Katie because I tend to be a one plus one equals two person also (I dislike working crosswords like those Anton writes, just plain old clues for me). I could definitely fall for Anton. This story has a good plot, interesting characters (83 year old neighbors included), witty, informative and strangely romantic. I can’t recommend this book and/or series enough.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story, both characters have some emotional issues which has cause them to have a new normal for them. Rosie is great, and I think Katie's dilemma helps them relate and eventually open up to one another. It's not so easy to tear down the walls of loneliness that they have become comfortable with but their connection puts enough of a crack in that armor for them to rethink some things. I received a free copy without obligation and am voluntarily reviewing.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

From the moment I started this story, I knew I was going to enjoy it. The storyline was interesting, it flowed well and the characters were developed and likeable. I loved how real and honest the story felt and how full of emotions it was. The characters weren't perfect; they had flaws and insecurities, and life wasn't always a bed of Rose's. I liked this story from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy Garbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another wonderful addition to The Gold Coast Retrievers Series. Author Stella Quinn is a talented wordsmith who has woven a clever and emotion-stirring tale. In an unusual twist, crossword puzzle clues and “Dear Anna” letters in the local newspaper become important in resolving the mystery central to this story.

I received an advanced copy of “Keeping Katie” for my honest review. This is a smart, sweet romance that has good characters, human and canine. I highly recommend this book.

[Heather W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping Katie is Book 14 in The Gold Coast Retrievers series and is a sweet romance read.

This is the first book I have read in this series and I really enjoyed it. Therapy dog Rose will do whatever is necessary to bring two trouble people together. The characters are likable and the storyline flows nicely from beginning to end with humour, a missing sister, cryptic clues, healing, and romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tamra Delasalle Padgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie and Anton both are dealing with troubled pasts and want nothing more than to hide their lives and just be by themselves. A missing sister with very little clues to go on these two must do their best to find her along with Katie's dog and bring her home. These two must also learn to open up themselves to what their future can hold. Grab your copy today and be ready to fall in love with these characters.

[Tracey Tranter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful addition to the series. It can be read as a standalone, however I think you would enjoy it more if you have read the other books before it.

The story is a clean romance, full of action, drama and suspense and a dog, of course.

A great read

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping Katie is a sweet romance. Anton and Katie, both staying home too much, bond over searching for Katie's sister, Vee. Rose, Katie's therapy dog tries to play matchmaker. I stayed up too late reading because I did not want to put the book down! This is a well written, well paced, sweet romance with a therapy dog and some mystery. I highly recommend it.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

KATie feels lonely and gets busy with her work as air traffic controller and volunteering in the animal shelter training difficult dogs. But when her sister is missing she needs help finding her. Can an handsome and famous writer help her in finding not only her sister but her happiness again? A sweet story.

[Ashleigh]

Super Sweet Story!

The writing draws you in and keeps you involved throughout the whole story, I found myself in love with not only the characters but also the world that was created.

The descriptions of the characters and their feelings are so involved, you can truly picture it in your mind.

This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I've read written by Stella Quinn; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being book 14 in the series this is my first time reading anything from this author. I really loved the plot and the characters; I adore the fact that one of the main characters is a dog. Twists and turns are the order of the day in this cute mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable story about Katie who volunteers to train dogs and Anton is a writer and they meet in the park. This is a fun, fast paced book, with interesting characters, and some romance. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and gave my honest opinion.

[Jacqueline Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie and Anton just want to retreat from the world. These two are brought together trying to solve the clues left by her sister. Intriguing storyline that kept me entertained, wonderful characters along with a therapy dog. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.