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Pine Hollow #2
Once Upon a Puppy
Opposites attract when a straitlaced lawyer and whimsical party planner must fake-date as co-parents of a rambunctious Irish wolfhound in the second book of this im-paw-ssibly charming small-town romance series.
Connor Wyeth has a plan for everything. But when he adopts Maximus, an unruly Irish wolfhound mix, he gets more than he bargained for. If he doesn't act fast, the big dopey mutt is going to destroy his house. The only person Max ever listens to is the volunteer who used to walk him at the shelter—a perennially upbeat woman whose day job is planning princess parties for little kids. Connor couldn't ever imagine that she'd be able to tame such a beast as Max, but he's desperate enough to try anything.
Deenie Mitchell isn't looking forward to spending more time with uptight, rules-oriented Connor—no matter how attractive he is. But when her sister announces her engagement, Deenie realizes he's the perfect person to impress her type-A family. When she learns he needs a plus-one for his law firm's work events, an unlikely alliance is formed. But as they play the perfect couple, the friendship—and the feelings—that are forming start to feel all too real. Opposites may attract, but can the man with a plan for everything and the misfit who makes her own rules ever find common ground?
Connor Wyeth has a plan for everything. But when he adopts Maximus, an unruly Irish wolfhound mix, he gets more than he bargained for. If he doesn't act fast, the big dopey mutt is going to destroy his house. The only person Max ever listens to is the volunteer who used to walk him at the shelter—a perennially upbeat woman whose day job is planning princess parties for little kids. Connor couldn't ever imagine that she'd be able to tame such a beast as Max, but he's desperate enough to try anything.
Deenie Mitchell isn't looking forward to spending more time with uptight, rules-oriented Connor—no matter how attractive he is. But when her sister announces her engagement, Deenie realizes he's the perfect person to impress her type-A family. When she learns he needs a plus-one for his law firm's work events, an unlikely alliance is formed. But as they play the perfect couple, the friendship—and the feelings—that are forming start to feel all too real. Opposites may attract, but can the man with a plan for everything and the misfit who makes her own rules ever find common ground?
335 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 25, 2021
13 people are currently reading
844 people want to read
About the author
Lizzie Shane
31 books269 followersContemporary romance author Lizzie Shane was born in Alaska and still calls the frozen north home, though she can frequently be found indulging her travel addiction. Thankfully, her laptop travels with her and she has written her way through all fifty states and over fifty countries.
Lizzie has been honored to win the Golden Heart Award and HOLT Medallion, and has been named a finalist three times for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA Award®, but her main claim to fame is that she lost on Jeopardy!
For more about Lizzie and her books, please visit http://www.lizzieshane.com. Happy reading!
Lizzie has been honored to win the Golden Heart Award and HOLT Medallion, and has been named a finalist three times for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA Award®, but her main claim to fame is that she lost on Jeopardy!
For more about Lizzie and her books, please visit http://www.lizzieshane.com. Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
May 14, 2021
2.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The man had rubbed her the wrong way since the second they met.
Once Upon a Puppy returns readers to Pine Hollow, Vermont and all the characters I had grown fond of in the first in the series, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas. We met Connor Wyeth, the uptight lawyer who's fiancee left him 13 days before the wedding and Deenie Mitchell, princess party planner full of wanderlust in the previous book and their oil and water clashing had me anticipating their book. You could easily start with this book but one of the best things about this story is the Pine Hollow setting and the group of friends the author has created. The first half of the story almost has more of a focus on Connor and Deenie separately as we get to know them and catch up on the group of friends. Connor and Deenie have their moments together but they are more touch and go, as they are navigating through life and thinking about each other.
She was too different. That was what she'd been told her entire life. Until it had become a badge of honor. Stay different. Stay weird. Stay wild. It was who she was. And she wasn't giving it up for any man.
The second half brings us to the fake dating trope and the romance part picks up but this is a closed door romance with only some kissing on screen, the tone is very gentle and warm. I like fully developed characters and I thought the author spending more time on Connor and Deenie in the first half, gave us this, for the most part. Deenie and her issues with never feeling respected by her family and never fitting in was more front and center and gave me a better idea about who she was. Connor's backstory comes later in the story and I wish we could have gotten even more with his mother as they seemed to have such a strong relationship. The set-up with Connor being a workaholic and fearing being left because of his birth father leaving him and his then his fiancee and then Deenie being defensive about her lifestyle choices of traveling all the time and not holding a “steady” job, set these two to clash but under the labels of uptight and wild child, the author did show how they actually fit each other. I did end up believing in their ying and yang fitting personalities.
He didn't need fun. He needed stable. Reliable. Someone who would stick with him no matter what.
This series is tied together not only by the location of Pine Hollow but also doggies and Connor's dog Maximus added a reason for Deenie to be around, she trains Maximus, but also added some of that lovable element that only dogs can do; Maximus doesn't overwhelm with crazy antics but will have you thinking about getting a 140lb “lap” dog. The other secondary characters that consist of Connor's group of friends, filled out the story perfectly. They add dimensions but didn't overwhelm and there is some obvious laid out future romances on the horizon (Elinor and Levi have me thirsting for a second chance romance). I was wanting more of Deenie with her great-aunt Bitty, a woman who accepted and celebrated Deenie for who she was, that relationship should have been shown more because of the emotional impacts those moments could have produced.
He wasn't the one making her feel like she wasn't enough. He was the one telling her that she was.
I enjoy a little more spark and heat between my couples and that just wasn't this story. The pace is a little more slow moving as their friendship grows and then Deenie displays some defensive immaturity about feeling like she is the only one changing for Connor to create some late action angst. I still adored the circle of friends and the dogs but the sweetness fell into slow and dull a few times for me. However, if you're looking for a closed door romance that has a more gradual speed as it settles you into a circle of friends with added doggie bonuses, Pine Hollow is a series to look into.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The man had rubbed her the wrong way since the second they met.
Once Upon a Puppy returns readers to Pine Hollow, Vermont and all the characters I had grown fond of in the first in the series, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas. We met Connor Wyeth, the uptight lawyer who's fiancee left him 13 days before the wedding and Deenie Mitchell, princess party planner full of wanderlust in the previous book and their oil and water clashing had me anticipating their book. You could easily start with this book but one of the best things about this story is the Pine Hollow setting and the group of friends the author has created. The first half of the story almost has more of a focus on Connor and Deenie separately as we get to know them and catch up on the group of friends. Connor and Deenie have their moments together but they are more touch and go, as they are navigating through life and thinking about each other.
She was too different. That was what she'd been told her entire life. Until it had become a badge of honor. Stay different. Stay weird. Stay wild. It was who she was. And she wasn't giving it up for any man.
The second half brings us to the fake dating trope and the romance part picks up but this is a closed door romance with only some kissing on screen, the tone is very gentle and warm. I like fully developed characters and I thought the author spending more time on Connor and Deenie in the first half, gave us this, for the most part. Deenie and her issues with never feeling respected by her family and never fitting in was more front and center and gave me a better idea about who she was. Connor's backstory comes later in the story and I wish we could have gotten even more with his mother as they seemed to have such a strong relationship. The set-up with Connor being a workaholic and fearing being left because of his birth father leaving him and his then his fiancee and then Deenie being defensive about her lifestyle choices of traveling all the time and not holding a “steady” job, set these two to clash but under the labels of uptight and wild child, the author did show how they actually fit each other. I did end up believing in their ying and yang fitting personalities.
He didn't need fun. He needed stable. Reliable. Someone who would stick with him no matter what.
This series is tied together not only by the location of Pine Hollow but also doggies and Connor's dog Maximus added a reason for Deenie to be around, she trains Maximus, but also added some of that lovable element that only dogs can do; Maximus doesn't overwhelm with crazy antics but will have you thinking about getting a 140lb “lap” dog. The other secondary characters that consist of Connor's group of friends, filled out the story perfectly. They add dimensions but didn't overwhelm and there is some obvious laid out future romances on the horizon (Elinor and Levi have me thirsting for a second chance romance). I was wanting more of Deenie with her great-aunt Bitty, a woman who accepted and celebrated Deenie for who she was, that relationship should have been shown more because of the emotional impacts those moments could have produced.
He wasn't the one making her feel like she wasn't enough. He was the one telling her that she was.
I enjoy a little more spark and heat between my couples and that just wasn't this story. The pace is a little more slow moving as their friendship grows and then Deenie displays some defensive immaturity about feeling like she is the only one changing for Connor to create some late action angst. I still adored the circle of friends and the dogs but the sweetness fell into slow and dull a few times for me. However, if you're looking for a closed door romance that has a more gradual speed as it settles you into a circle of friends with added doggie bonuses, Pine Hollow is a series to look into.
February 4, 2022
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I thought that this romance was simply delightful! This is the second book in the Pine Hollow series but each book in the series features a different couple so it can easily be read as a stand-alone. This series originally caught my attention with the dogs that grace the covers but I found myself coming back because of the fantastic characters. The small-town only adds to the appeal. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover.
This book features Deenie and Connor. These two appear to be polar opposites on the surface and I wondered how they would ever make it work but I was more than willing to find out. Connor is a lawyer working to make partner at his law firm. He is organized and plans everything out. He has everything under control, everything except his dog Max. Deenie is a free spirit. She doesn’t stay in one place long and wants to see as much of the world as she can. She has pink hair and is usually covered in glitter, especially if she has recently led a princess party. She also is fantastic with animals and agrees to help Connor out with Max. When it turns out that they both are in need of a plus one for some upcoming events, they strike a deal that should help them both.
I loved Deenie and Connor. They were perfect together and they had a lot of great chemistry. I think that they balanced each other out very well and I liked how natural they were with each other when nobody else was around. They both had some pretty big issues that they were dealing with and I loved how they were able to be so supportive of each other. The other members of the friend group were wonderful and added a lot to the story.
I would recommend this book to others. This is a cleaner romance with fantastic characters that I have grown to love. I cannot wait to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing).
I thought that this romance was simply delightful! This is the second book in the Pine Hollow series but each book in the series features a different couple so it can easily be read as a stand-alone. This series originally caught my attention with the dogs that grace the covers but I found myself coming back because of the fantastic characters. The small-town only adds to the appeal. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover.
This book features Deenie and Connor. These two appear to be polar opposites on the surface and I wondered how they would ever make it work but I was more than willing to find out. Connor is a lawyer working to make partner at his law firm. He is organized and plans everything out. He has everything under control, everything except his dog Max. Deenie is a free spirit. She doesn’t stay in one place long and wants to see as much of the world as she can. She has pink hair and is usually covered in glitter, especially if she has recently led a princess party. She also is fantastic with animals and agrees to help Connor out with Max. When it turns out that they both are in need of a plus one for some upcoming events, they strike a deal that should help them both.
I loved Deenie and Connor. They were perfect together and they had a lot of great chemistry. I think that they balanced each other out very well and I liked how natural they were with each other when nobody else was around. They both had some pretty big issues that they were dealing with and I loved how they were able to be so supportive of each other. The other members of the friend group were wonderful and added a lot to the story.
I would recommend this book to others. This is a cleaner romance with fantastic characters that I have grown to love. I cannot wait to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing).
November 30, 2022
Er was eens een puppy ~ Lizzie Shane
Boekerij, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zucht... uit. Zo jammer!!! Ik had nog wel even door kunnen lezen over Deenie en Connor. Wat een heerlijk verhaal was dit weer, en net als in het eerste deel was ik weer helemaal thuis in Pine Hollow. Lizzie Shane weet hoe ze personages moet creëren die in je hart kruipen en als vrienden aan voelen. Ik heb echt weer met volle teugen genoten, en kan niet wachten tot ze het volgende deel klaar heeft. Iets zegt mij dat het hoogtijd wordt dat we meer lezen over Elinor en Levi! En natuurlijk wil ik dolgraag weten hoe het verder gaat met de rest van de vrienden die we tot nu hebben leren kennen ♡
Boekerij, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zucht... uit. Zo jammer!!! Ik had nog wel even door kunnen lezen over Deenie en Connor. Wat een heerlijk verhaal was dit weer, en net als in het eerste deel was ik weer helemaal thuis in Pine Hollow. Lizzie Shane weet hoe ze personages moet creëren die in je hart kruipen en als vrienden aan voelen. Ik heb echt weer met volle teugen genoten, en kan niet wachten tot ze het volgende deel klaar heeft. Iets zegt mij dat het hoogtijd wordt dat we meer lezen over Elinor en Levi! En natuurlijk wil ik dolgraag weten hoe het verder gaat met de rest van de vrienden die we tot nu hebben leren kennen ♡
May 21, 2021
To say I was excited to be back in Pine Hollow is a massive understatement! The Twelve Dogs of Christmas was one of my favourite books of 2020 and I’ve been eagerly awaiting this sequel ever since, especially knowing it featured Deenie, our resident glitter-covered Princess-party planner.
I fell in love both with both Deenie and Connor from their initial introduction in the first book and I was very curious how Lizzie Shane was going to grow a romance between the two of them. Their characters are so wildly different – Connor is a very by-the-books, has to have everything organised kind of guy whereas Deenie is a free-spirit who hates to be tied down to anything. But a lovable wolfhound and some fake dating draw the two of them together and their chemistry is clear right from the start.
Connor was the perfect hero for me, he was such a grump with a truly soft and squishy heart. His interactions with his mum were heart-warming and I loved how desperate he was to do right by his new rescue dog, Max.
Deenie as well proved to be a very likeable heroine. Even during her more insecure moments she was so true to herself, never wanting to settle. I do think her issues in the last 10% of the book felt a bit rushed, but they were also a culmination of her feelings throughout and I was very satisfied in how everything came together in the end.
Grief was an important topic in the first book, and it also plays a big part in this one. Deenie’s devotion towards her Great-Aunt, and the issues and heartbreak she goes through were truly wrenching. I think a lot of people will sympathise with her.
I loved how both our main characters had their own issues to overcome. Deenie has a bad history involving her family who don’t approve of her lifestyle, and Connor has been burnt badly by a past relationship. Their struggles to overcome these issues are helped, not just by each other, but also by the side characters. The family we began to know in the first book play a big part in this one and it was so nice to see how the previous couple were getting along.
All in all this was an adorable opposites attract romance, filled with sweetness and light moments but also with a serious core at heart. If you’re looking for a slow-burn romance where the couple become friends first and lovers later, with a loving cast of side characters and lots of adorable doggy mascots, then look no further than the Pine Hollow series. I cannot wait to go back in the next novel!
Many thanks to Headline Eternal & Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I fell in love both with both Deenie and Connor from their initial introduction in the first book and I was very curious how Lizzie Shane was going to grow a romance between the two of them. Their characters are so wildly different – Connor is a very by-the-books, has to have everything organised kind of guy whereas Deenie is a free-spirit who hates to be tied down to anything. But a lovable wolfhound and some fake dating draw the two of them together and their chemistry is clear right from the start.
Connor was the perfect hero for me, he was such a grump with a truly soft and squishy heart. His interactions with his mum were heart-warming and I loved how desperate he was to do right by his new rescue dog, Max.
Deenie as well proved to be a very likeable heroine. Even during her more insecure moments she was so true to herself, never wanting to settle. I do think her issues in the last 10% of the book felt a bit rushed, but they were also a culmination of her feelings throughout and I was very satisfied in how everything came together in the end.
Grief was an important topic in the first book, and it also plays a big part in this one. Deenie’s devotion towards her Great-Aunt, and the issues and heartbreak she goes through were truly wrenching. I think a lot of people will sympathise with her.
I loved how both our main characters had their own issues to overcome. Deenie has a bad history involving her family who don’t approve of her lifestyle, and Connor has been burnt badly by a past relationship. Their struggles to overcome these issues are helped, not just by each other, but also by the side characters. The family we began to know in the first book play a big part in this one and it was so nice to see how the previous couple were getting along.
All in all this was an adorable opposites attract romance, filled with sweetness and light moments but also with a serious core at heart. If you’re looking for a slow-burn romance where the couple become friends first and lovers later, with a loving cast of side characters and lots of adorable doggy mascots, then look no further than the Pine Hollow series. I cannot wait to go back in the next novel!
Many thanks to Headline Eternal & Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2022
Not quite as good as the first book in the series.
May 19, 2021
Enchanting, sassy, and sweet!
Once Upon a Puppy is a lovely, character-driven rom-com that sweeps you away to Pine Hollow and into the lives of the easy-going, feisty Deenie and the intense, broody Connor as they discover that opposites do attract and there may be more to their relationship than just dog training, pretend feelings, and fake dating.
The prose is fluid and smooth. The characters are hardworking, engaging, and charismatic. And the plot is a delightful mix of friendship, family, light drama, tricky moments, hilarious hijinks, snappy dialogue, shameless flirting, sizzling romance, and a mischievous, adorable Irish Wolfhound mix.
Overall, Once Upon a Puppy is an amusing, captivating, charming novel by Shane that’s another wonderful addition to the Pine Hollow series that, with its irresistible characters and heartwarming storylines, is quickly becoming one of my all-time favourites.
Thank you to Forever and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
Once Upon a Puppy is a lovely, character-driven rom-com that sweeps you away to Pine Hollow and into the lives of the easy-going, feisty Deenie and the intense, broody Connor as they discover that opposites do attract and there may be more to their relationship than just dog training, pretend feelings, and fake dating.
The prose is fluid and smooth. The characters are hardworking, engaging, and charismatic. And the plot is a delightful mix of friendship, family, light drama, tricky moments, hilarious hijinks, snappy dialogue, shameless flirting, sizzling romance, and a mischievous, adorable Irish Wolfhound mix.
Overall, Once Upon a Puppy is an amusing, captivating, charming novel by Shane that’s another wonderful addition to the Pine Hollow series that, with its irresistible characters and heartwarming storylines, is quickly becoming one of my all-time favourites.
Thank you to Forever and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2022
Er was eens een puppy, het tweede deel in de Pine Hollow reeks van Lizzie Shane.
Als eerste dank aan uitgeverij Boekerij voor het recensie exemplaar!
Plot:
Connor en Deenie zijn als water en vuur. Zij de vrije geest die van glitter en prinsessenfeestjes houdt, hij de man die alles strak organiseert en zich in zijn werk stort. Toch hebben ze 1 ding met elkaar gemeen, ze zijn dol op honden. Deenie en Connor kunnen elkaar niet zien of luchten maar soms neemt het leven rare wendingen........ Als ze besluiten een neprelatie met elkaar aan te gaan om elkaar te helpen met hun rommelige privé leven, dan zouden er zomaar wat vonken kunnen overspringen....
--------------
Het boek komt in het begin wat traag op gang, ik moest er echt weer even in komen. Ik merkte dat ik in het begin niet zoveel met het personage van Deenie had maar dat is naarmate het boek wel gegroeid. Dit boek heeft een leuke verhaallijn met erg veel humor, de personages maken beiden echt wel een flinke persoonlijke groei door. Er was een goede chemie tussen de twee hoofdpersonages. Naarmate het boek vorderde werd het tempo ook wat hoger gelukkig en ik heb echt genoten van de gesprekken tussen Connor en Deenie.
Ik vond dit deel iets minder leuk dan het eerste deel maar alsnog heb ik weer lekker weg kunnen dromen. Ik heb ook weer genoten van de honden alhoewel die een iets minder prominente rol hadden dit keer. Al met al weer een fijne roman om bij weg te zwijmelen en ik ben nu al benieuwd naar deel 3!
Als eerste dank aan uitgeverij Boekerij voor het recensie exemplaar!
Plot:
Connor en Deenie zijn als water en vuur. Zij de vrije geest die van glitter en prinsessenfeestjes houdt, hij de man die alles strak organiseert en zich in zijn werk stort. Toch hebben ze 1 ding met elkaar gemeen, ze zijn dol op honden. Deenie en Connor kunnen elkaar niet zien of luchten maar soms neemt het leven rare wendingen........ Als ze besluiten een neprelatie met elkaar aan te gaan om elkaar te helpen met hun rommelige privé leven, dan zouden er zomaar wat vonken kunnen overspringen....
--------------
Het boek komt in het begin wat traag op gang, ik moest er echt weer even in komen. Ik merkte dat ik in het begin niet zoveel met het personage van Deenie had maar dat is naarmate het boek wel gegroeid. Dit boek heeft een leuke verhaallijn met erg veel humor, de personages maken beiden echt wel een flinke persoonlijke groei door. Er was een goede chemie tussen de twee hoofdpersonages. Naarmate het boek vorderde werd het tempo ook wat hoger gelukkig en ik heb echt genoten van de gesprekken tussen Connor en Deenie.
Ik vond dit deel iets minder leuk dan het eerste deel maar alsnog heb ik weer lekker weg kunnen dromen. Ik heb ook weer genoten van de honden alhoewel die een iets minder prominente rol hadden dit keer. Al met al weer een fijne roman om bij weg te zwijmelen en ik ben nu al benieuwd naar deel 3!
June 14, 2021
After reading the first book in the Pine Hollow series last year, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas I just knew I wanted to read more.
I'll admit books that feature dogs are a go to for me.
This is a really cute story with an overly rambunctious Irish wolfhound puppy.
Yeah the dog is adorable but very clumsy and lovable and the main character's house is going to be destroyed if he doesn't find a way to train it quick.
The large goof-ball of a dog only listens to one person, the Princess Party Planner aka the lady who used to walk him at the shelter where he came from.
With totally different outlooks on life can this party planner free-spirit and a straight laced lawyer see eye to eye on more than dog care?
Such a cute and fun book. Perfect beach read.
Published May 25th 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
I'll admit books that feature dogs are a go to for me.
This is a really cute story with an overly rambunctious Irish wolfhound puppy.
Yeah the dog is adorable but very clumsy and lovable and the main character's house is going to be destroyed if he doesn't find a way to train it quick.
The large goof-ball of a dog only listens to one person, the Princess Party Planner aka the lady who used to walk him at the shelter where he came from.
With totally different outlooks on life can this party planner free-spirit and a straight laced lawyer see eye to eye on more than dog care?
Such a cute and fun book. Perfect beach read.
Published May 25th 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
May 7, 2021
I needed this return to Pine Hollow, Vermont, just for the warm, happy, squishy feels I get on completion. Lizzie's small town romances are sure to put a smile on my face.
Deenie is vibrant, full of life and glitter. Her jet-setting ways are confusing to the staid Connor. But we all know what happens when opposites pretend at a fake relationship with a side of undisciplined puppy.
Lizzie does a great job about painting a movie in my head. I love her descriptions and the funny way she acknowledges the stereotypical fake relationship trope. Now I just need Elinor and Levi's second chance.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Deenie is vibrant, full of life and glitter. Her jet-setting ways are confusing to the staid Connor. But we all know what happens when opposites pretend at a fake relationship with a side of undisciplined puppy.
Lizzie does a great job about painting a movie in my head. I love her descriptions and the funny way she acknowledges the stereotypical fake relationship trope. Now I just need Elinor and Levi's second chance.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
June 1, 2021
I'd been eager to return to Pine Hollow from the moment I finished reading The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, so couldn't wait to start reading as soon as this arrived in the post.
And I wasn't disappointed, this was just as good if not better than the first book. Lizzie Shane certainly knows how to write dogs that you will fall in love with and it was great getting to know Maximus better.
He is a gentle giant but has clearly never been trained, which is something Connor is intending to do but just keeps finding reasons not to attend the training sessions. Although the first one in a while he does go to, he bumps into Deenie, his polar opposite.
They appear to rub each other up the wrong way, he's a lawyer and wants to be partner at his firm, whereas Deenie organises Princess parties and appears to be a dog whisperer too. She also has great wanderlust and rarely stays in one place as long as she is going to be spending in Pine Hollow.
I loved how the two of them banter and rub each other up the wrong way, especially when Connor hires her to become Maximus's personal dog trainer! And what a first training session it is, its hilarious!!
I also loved seeing familiar faces from all over Pine Hollow and more of Ben and Ally's story from the previous book. Also seeing Deenie's family dynamics made me just want to punch them and stick up for her.
I found the story really went up a gear as it verged into one of the tropes I really enjoy and yet from not having read the blurb properly, due to just knowing I wanted to read this, took me by surprise and I'm glad it did as I was enjoying the book even more from that point.
I've had a lovely couple of afternoons in the garden reading this book, From a great community setting, to gorgeous dogs and fabulous chemistry this book has it all. And I even loved how the title fits in once I gave it a thought, and realised it was quite clever!
I really hope this isn't the last we have seen of Pine Hollow I can't help but think there is at least one more resident's story that should be focused on and I hope that may be coming next!
Thank you to Emily Patience at Headline for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,.
And I wasn't disappointed, this was just as good if not better than the first book. Lizzie Shane certainly knows how to write dogs that you will fall in love with and it was great getting to know Maximus better.
He is a gentle giant but has clearly never been trained, which is something Connor is intending to do but just keeps finding reasons not to attend the training sessions. Although the first one in a while he does go to, he bumps into Deenie, his polar opposite.
They appear to rub each other up the wrong way, he's a lawyer and wants to be partner at his firm, whereas Deenie organises Princess parties and appears to be a dog whisperer too. She also has great wanderlust and rarely stays in one place as long as she is going to be spending in Pine Hollow.
I loved how the two of them banter and rub each other up the wrong way, especially when Connor hires her to become Maximus's personal dog trainer! And what a first training session it is, its hilarious!!
I also loved seeing familiar faces from all over Pine Hollow and more of Ben and Ally's story from the previous book. Also seeing Deenie's family dynamics made me just want to punch them and stick up for her.
I found the story really went up a gear as it verged into one of the tropes I really enjoy and yet from not having read the blurb properly, due to just knowing I wanted to read this, took me by surprise and I'm glad it did as I was enjoying the book even more from that point.
I've had a lovely couple of afternoons in the garden reading this book, From a great community setting, to gorgeous dogs and fabulous chemistry this book has it all. And I even loved how the title fits in once I gave it a thought, and realised it was quite clever!
I really hope this isn't the last we have seen of Pine Hollow I can't help but think there is at least one more resident's story that should be focused on and I hope that may be coming next!
Thank you to Emily Patience at Headline for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,.
January 25, 2022
I loved it!!
Ik wil meer van Lizzie Shane!
Ik wil meer van Lizzie Shane!
May 30, 2021
3.5 Stars
Opposites attract and fall for each other bonding over dog training and fake dating to impress the parents.
Deenie is the free-spirited, never wants-to-be-tied-down kind of girl, and Connor is the uptight straightlaced, plan-everything-kind-of-guy. Heads butt and sparks fly in this cute romance!
A copy was kindly provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Opposites attract and fall for each other bonding over dog training and fake dating to impress the parents.
Deenie is the free-spirited, never wants-to-be-tied-down kind of girl, and Connor is the uptight straightlaced, plan-everything-kind-of-guy. Heads butt and sparks fly in this cute romance!
A copy was kindly provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2021
This is a sweet "opposites attract" romance, and the fact that dogs are included makes it even better! This is an uncomplicated, fun book to enjoy during a relaxing day.
May 25, 2021
Once Upon a Puppy features an excellent fake dating romance showing opposites really do attract.
Deenie Mitchell never stays in one place for long but when her favorite aunt gets sick, Pine Hollow becomes home for the foreseeable future. Between her day job planning princess parties for little kids and volunteering at her best friend's animal shelter, Deenie manages to keep busy. Straitlaced Connor Wyeth has a plan for everything and Deenie is just the person he needs to help him train Maximus, the Irish wolfhound mix Connor adopted from the shelter. Deenie realizes Connor is the perfect solution to her family's criticism of her lifestyle and agrees to help Connor on the condition he be her plus-one to her sister's engagement party. But as the pair play the perfect couple, their feelings quickly become more than they bargained for.
Deenie has always been the odd one out in her family, a free spirit in a sea of type-A personalities. Deenie's family was completely horrible to her throughout the book and I had a hard time seeing why she didn't simply cut contact with them over their treatment of her. Connor has been hyper-focused on a five step plan for a better life ever since his life imploded a year ago when his fiancée walked out on him two weeks before their wedding. It quickly became clear that Connor's plan was just a way for him to avoid being hurt again which was understandable even if I did find his commitment to the plan to be a bit extreme at times.
Deenie and Connor's relationship gets off to a pretty rough start. They initially don't even like each other and generally can't stand to be around each other. Deenie thinks Connor is a snob while Connor thinks Deenie is flighty and unreliable. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes in romance and it was very well done here. Besides Connor helping Deenie out at her family events, Deenie fills in as the perfect girlfriend at Connor's work events. I enjoyed the friendship the two develop while fake dating and I liked watching as it turned into something more. Outside of a few kissing scenes, there are no steamy scenes in this book. I like my romances to be more explicit but for those who prefer low heat, this book is perfect.
Overall Once Upon a Puppy was a fun read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, To All the Dogs I've Loved Before, when it releases later this year. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a cute contemporary romance.
**I received an advanced finished copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Deenie Mitchell never stays in one place for long but when her favorite aunt gets sick, Pine Hollow becomes home for the foreseeable future. Between her day job planning princess parties for little kids and volunteering at her best friend's animal shelter, Deenie manages to keep busy. Straitlaced Connor Wyeth has a plan for everything and Deenie is just the person he needs to help him train Maximus, the Irish wolfhound mix Connor adopted from the shelter. Deenie realizes Connor is the perfect solution to her family's criticism of her lifestyle and agrees to help Connor on the condition he be her plus-one to her sister's engagement party. But as the pair play the perfect couple, their feelings quickly become more than they bargained for.
Deenie has always been the odd one out in her family, a free spirit in a sea of type-A personalities. Deenie's family was completely horrible to her throughout the book and I had a hard time seeing why she didn't simply cut contact with them over their treatment of her. Connor has been hyper-focused on a five step plan for a better life ever since his life imploded a year ago when his fiancée walked out on him two weeks before their wedding. It quickly became clear that Connor's plan was just a way for him to avoid being hurt again which was understandable even if I did find his commitment to the plan to be a bit extreme at times.
Deenie and Connor's relationship gets off to a pretty rough start. They initially don't even like each other and generally can't stand to be around each other. Deenie thinks Connor is a snob while Connor thinks Deenie is flighty and unreliable. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes in romance and it was very well done here. Besides Connor helping Deenie out at her family events, Deenie fills in as the perfect girlfriend at Connor's work events. I enjoyed the friendship the two develop while fake dating and I liked watching as it turned into something more. Outside of a few kissing scenes, there are no steamy scenes in this book. I like my romances to be more explicit but for those who prefer low heat, this book is perfect.
Overall Once Upon a Puppy was a fun read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, To All the Dogs I've Loved Before, when it releases later this year. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a cute contemporary romance.
**I received an advanced finished copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
May 14, 2021
Lizzie Shane's Pine Hollow series is objectively good. It's well written, with fully three-dimensional characters, funny and heartwarming moments, and small town charm. If you love small town closed door romances, this is a great series for you.
However, I did not like this story as much as Twelve Dogs of Christmas, likely for personal reasons. I am very much a Connor (Type A lawyer, maybe a little bit of an intellectual snob) and I have a really difficult time imagining myself with someone like Deenie. Deenie is the very definition of a free spirit, travelling all the time, not wanting to be tied down with a storefront or office job. Don't get me wrong--she's smart, well-educated, financially responsible, kind, etc. But I just don't see her and Connor together. Their connection seems to be more about chemistry that compatibility. And maybe I'm sure people will say that I'm missing the point of the book, and this is an opposites attract romance, and they need to learn from each other, blah, blah blah, but I'm a realist, and this didn't seem very real.
But in the end, this is a feel-good romance, it's cute, it's everything you want in a quick, closed-door read, and it accomplishes its goals.
Thank you to Forever for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars - 8/10
However, I did not like this story as much as Twelve Dogs of Christmas, likely for personal reasons. I am very much a Connor (Type A lawyer, maybe a little bit of an intellectual snob) and I have a really difficult time imagining myself with someone like Deenie. Deenie is the very definition of a free spirit, travelling all the time, not wanting to be tied down with a storefront or office job. Don't get me wrong--she's smart, well-educated, financially responsible, kind, etc. But I just don't see her and Connor together. Their connection seems to be more about chemistry that compatibility. And maybe I'm sure people will say that I'm missing the point of the book, and this is an opposites attract romance, and they need to learn from each other, blah, blah blah, but I'm a realist, and this didn't seem very real.
But in the end, this is a feel-good romance, it's cute, it's everything you want in a quick, closed-door read, and it accomplishes its goals.
Thank you to Forever for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars - 8/10
May 4, 2021
Twelve Dogs of Christmas was one of the most fun books I read for the holidays. I was very grabby hands about getting this early copy of the follow up book. Connor and Deenie weren't really on my radar as far as personalities that I was interested in, but I am so glad that those are the characters we got. They were so similar and yet so different in their struggles. They both yearned for control of their lives and to be safe and loved, but in much different ways. I loved their banter and their chemistry. I loved Max and how much we got of their friend group.
Closed door romances are either done well or feel a little disjointed and I think that Lizzie Shane has such a good hand at making the door shut quietly enough that I don't feel like I am missing out on important parts of the story. This is a small town series that I am absolutely here for. If you love Annie Rains, Aj Pine, you should probably pick these up. They are sweet and fun and funny, but with some depth that keeps us turning the pages.
Closed door romances are either done well or feel a little disjointed and I think that Lizzie Shane has such a good hand at making the door shut quietly enough that I don't feel like I am missing out on important parts of the story. This is a small town series that I am absolutely here for. If you love Annie Rains, Aj Pine, you should probably pick these up. They are sweet and fun and funny, but with some depth that keeps us turning the pages.
May 24, 2021
Thank you NetGalley, Lizzie Shane and Forever for the ARC of Once Upon A Puppy. This is my personal review.
I enjoyed The Twelve Dogs of Christmas and was super excited when the second in the series came out.
Deenie and Connor are made for each other even though they do not know it right away.
A book set in a small town and has dogs is always going to be a hit for me. The chemistry between Deenie and Connor jumped off the pages for me.
This was a great few hours for me and I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
The cover of this book is adorable!
I enjoyed The Twelve Dogs of Christmas and was super excited when the second in the series came out.
Deenie and Connor are made for each other even though they do not know it right away.
A book set in a small town and has dogs is always going to be a hit for me. The chemistry between Deenie and Connor jumped off the pages for me.
This was a great few hours for me and I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
The cover of this book is adorable!
July 3, 2024
“Ze moest blijven. Want weggaan was hetzelfde als loslaten. En daar was ze nog niet aan toe.”
“Ze kon zich als een vlieger in een storm werpen, omdat ze wist dat hij haar altijd aan de grond verankerd zou houden, zelfs wanneer ze allebei door de bliksem werden getrokken.”
“Je kunt wel meer geld op een spaarrekening zetten voor later, maar niet meer leven.”
“Ze kon zich als een vlieger in een storm werpen, omdat ze wist dat hij haar altijd aan de grond verankerd zou houden, zelfs wanneer ze allebei door de bliksem werden getrokken.”
“Je kunt wel meer geld op een spaarrekening zetten voor later, maar niet meer leven.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2023
Jeny to jest tak dobre😭 kocham ich wszystkich
February 5, 2025
Typowy fake dating, za mało piesków, ale lekki sentyment jest..
October 11, 2022
Wtf? I actually loved it?!
The best way I can explain it is enemies to lovers in the most trashy way possible.
The best way I can explain it is enemies to lovers in the most trashy way possible.
May 18, 2022
In ’Er was eens een puppy’ keren we terug naar Pine Hollow. En waar we het eerste boek lazen vanuit Ally en Ben, draait dit tweede deel om Deenie en Connor.
Op de eerste plaats voelde het begin van dit boek als thuiskomen. Thuiskomen in Pine Hollow en alle geliefde personages die we in het eerste deel hebben mogen ontmoeten.
De schrijfstijl van Lizzie Shane is, net als in haar eerste boek, heerlijk vlot en doordat we meteen kennismaken met de interessante Deenie en Connor, word je vrijwel direct het verhaal in getrokken.
Ook het bruggetje naar het eerste boek is prettig voor de lezer. Ondanks dat het verhaal om twee andere personages gaat, zien we eerdere personages terug en lezen we ook hoe het hen vergaat. En uiteraard spelen ook in dit boek honden weer een rol.
In het eerste boek hebben we Deenie leren kennen als een echte vrije vogel. Een reislustige jonge vrouw die zich niet graag aan één plek bindt.
In dit boek gaat Lizzie Shane de diepte in en leren we Deenie veel beter kennen. We leren meer over haar achtergrond en waar haar verlangen naar reizen vandaan komt. Dat er in dit boek dus verdieping van personages aanwezig is, is duidelijk.
Ditzelfde geldt voor Connor. We hebben hem in het eerste boek kort leren kennen als iemand die graag de touwtjes in handen heeft en vooral ook de controle wil hebben en houden over zijn leven.
En dat Deenie en Connor twee tegenpolen zijn en hun levens zich met elkaar kruisen, is het leukste aan dit verhaal.
Het zorgt namelijk voor behoorlijk wat spanning tussen de twee en de nodige hilarische gebeurtenissen.
Uiteraard ook met dank aan Max, een vrolijke hond die de boel graag op stelten zet.
En de combinatie tussen diepgang en humor was voor mij een enorm pluspunt.
Beide personages maken ook een mooie ontwikkeling door en deze ontwikkeling zorgt er voor dat dit verhaal de lezer ook een boodschap mee geeft. Een boodschap die alles te maken heeft met acceptatie. Het accepteren van jezelf, maar ook van elkaar. Dat het niet uitmaakt hoeveel je van elkaar verschilt, en dat er altijd een mogelijkheid is om elkaar te vinden.
Wat mij betreft dus een heerlijk verhaal!
Het verhaal sluit af met een fijn epiloog dat enkele lijntjes aan elkaar knoopt, maar ons ook hoopvol maakt voor een volgend boek. Want ik heb zo’n vermoeden dat dit niet de laatste keer was dat we in Pine Hollow zijn geweest.
Conclusie
‘Er was eens een puppy’ is wederom een heerlijk feel good boek om even gelukzalig in te verdwijnen.
Alhoewel dit boek niet, net als het eerste deel, heel erg over honden ging, speelden ze zeker wel een rol in het verhaal. Dat maakt dit boek toch net weer even anders dan alle anderen.
Het verhaal zat wat mij betreft prima in elkaar en vol humor en voldoende diepgang. De aanwezige drama zorgde voor fijne spannende momenten. En ondanks de enige voorspelbaarheid, zaten er toch leuke verrassingen in.
Ook de personages van dit boek sloot ik meteen in mijn hart en ik ben nu al ontzettend benieuwd naar een volgend boek.
Op de eerste plaats voelde het begin van dit boek als thuiskomen. Thuiskomen in Pine Hollow en alle geliefde personages die we in het eerste deel hebben mogen ontmoeten.
De schrijfstijl van Lizzie Shane is, net als in haar eerste boek, heerlijk vlot en doordat we meteen kennismaken met de interessante Deenie en Connor, word je vrijwel direct het verhaal in getrokken.
Ook het bruggetje naar het eerste boek is prettig voor de lezer. Ondanks dat het verhaal om twee andere personages gaat, zien we eerdere personages terug en lezen we ook hoe het hen vergaat. En uiteraard spelen ook in dit boek honden weer een rol.
In het eerste boek hebben we Deenie leren kennen als een echte vrije vogel. Een reislustige jonge vrouw die zich niet graag aan één plek bindt.
In dit boek gaat Lizzie Shane de diepte in en leren we Deenie veel beter kennen. We leren meer over haar achtergrond en waar haar verlangen naar reizen vandaan komt. Dat er in dit boek dus verdieping van personages aanwezig is, is duidelijk.
Ditzelfde geldt voor Connor. We hebben hem in het eerste boek kort leren kennen als iemand die graag de touwtjes in handen heeft en vooral ook de controle wil hebben en houden over zijn leven.
En dat Deenie en Connor twee tegenpolen zijn en hun levens zich met elkaar kruisen, is het leukste aan dit verhaal.
Het zorgt namelijk voor behoorlijk wat spanning tussen de twee en de nodige hilarische gebeurtenissen.
Uiteraard ook met dank aan Max, een vrolijke hond die de boel graag op stelten zet.
En de combinatie tussen diepgang en humor was voor mij een enorm pluspunt.
Beide personages maken ook een mooie ontwikkeling door en deze ontwikkeling zorgt er voor dat dit verhaal de lezer ook een boodschap mee geeft. Een boodschap die alles te maken heeft met acceptatie. Het accepteren van jezelf, maar ook van elkaar. Dat het niet uitmaakt hoeveel je van elkaar verschilt, en dat er altijd een mogelijkheid is om elkaar te vinden.
Wat mij betreft dus een heerlijk verhaal!
Het verhaal sluit af met een fijn epiloog dat enkele lijntjes aan elkaar knoopt, maar ons ook hoopvol maakt voor een volgend boek. Want ik heb zo’n vermoeden dat dit niet de laatste keer was dat we in Pine Hollow zijn geweest.
Conclusie
‘Er was eens een puppy’ is wederom een heerlijk feel good boek om even gelukzalig in te verdwijnen.
Alhoewel dit boek niet, net als het eerste deel, heel erg over honden ging, speelden ze zeker wel een rol in het verhaal. Dat maakt dit boek toch net weer even anders dan alle anderen.
Het verhaal zat wat mij betreft prima in elkaar en vol humor en voldoende diepgang. De aanwezige drama zorgde voor fijne spannende momenten. En ondanks de enige voorspelbaarheid, zaten er toch leuke verrassingen in.
Ook de personages van dit boek sloot ik meteen in mijn hart en ik ben nu al ontzettend benieuwd naar een volgend boek.
April 26, 2021
Wow! This book is so good! It is heartwarming, witty, funny, sweet, romantic, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "Once Upon a Puppy", I was whisked away to the small town of Pine Hollow, and so enjoyed this book!
This is the second book in Lizzie Shane's "Pine Hollow" series! I have read the first book and absolutely loved it, just as I did this one! However, I also think this book can be read as a stand-alone as well, but, having read the first one, it was fun to see some of the same characters again! Ms. Shane's storytelling is spectacular, and her characters all feel like such incredibly real people. Each and every moment of this book is so well-thought out, and Ms. Shane's love of writing jumps right off of the page.
As a dog lover, I love how the dogs in these stories, in one way or another, really help to bring two people meant to be together, well, together! Connor and Deenie are opposites in many ways, and, in this case, opposites truly do attract! These two truly compliment one another quite well, and help bring out the best in each other. I loved watching them come together, and how their relationship grew deeper and deeper as the book progresses.
If you enjoy contemporary romance, I highly recommend this book! I am so looking forward to, what I hope, will be many more books in this heartwarming series!
Thank you so much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, I loved it! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is the second book in Lizzie Shane's "Pine Hollow" series! I have read the first book and absolutely loved it, just as I did this one! However, I also think this book can be read as a stand-alone as well, but, having read the first one, it was fun to see some of the same characters again! Ms. Shane's storytelling is spectacular, and her characters all feel like such incredibly real people. Each and every moment of this book is so well-thought out, and Ms. Shane's love of writing jumps right off of the page.
As a dog lover, I love how the dogs in these stories, in one way or another, really help to bring two people meant to be together, well, together! Connor and Deenie are opposites in many ways, and, in this case, opposites truly do attract! These two truly compliment one another quite well, and help bring out the best in each other. I loved watching them come together, and how their relationship grew deeper and deeper as the book progresses.
If you enjoy contemporary romance, I highly recommend this book! I am so looking forward to, what I hope, will be many more books in this heartwarming series!
Thank you so much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, I loved it! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
March 22, 2021
I really adored The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Lizzie Shane and was so excited when I saw the series was continuing with Once Upon a Puppy. We follow free-spirited Deenie and her complete opposite Connor as they decide to fake date. They do this so Connor can make partner at his firm by showing he's well rounded, and so Deenie will have a date to her sister's wedding festivities. Cue the sparks!
If you are someone who hasn't tried a small town romance book I highly suggest starting with this series. Once Upon a Puppy can be read as a standalone if you haven't checked out the first book yet, but I did love following the characters in town in this second installment. This book felt so cozy and was very comforting, which everyone could use right now. I really loved the opposites attract energy between Deenie and Connor and how they individually grew throughout the story. Of course I loved Connor's adorable giant dog, Maximus. If you want a book that feels like a big warm hug, check out Once Upon a Puppy!
If you are someone who hasn't tried a small town romance book I highly suggest starting with this series. Once Upon a Puppy can be read as a standalone if you haven't checked out the first book yet, but I did love following the characters in town in this second installment. This book felt so cozy and was very comforting, which everyone could use right now. I really loved the opposites attract energy between Deenie and Connor and how they individually grew throughout the story. Of course I loved Connor's adorable giant dog, Maximus. If you want a book that feels like a big warm hug, check out Once Upon a Puppy!
May 25, 2021
I loved returning to the small town of Pine Hollow and learning about two more of its residents, Connor and Deenie, as they learn more about themselves while falling for each other in this opposites attract romance.
After reading the first book in the series last year, I knew I found another series to obsess over and this was a great follow up to the first novel. While I could've used more dogs for sure, the storyline itself was really well thought out and the character development was perfect. I love that I could see myself in both Connor and Deenie and became invested in their relationship right from the beginning and that they both had a good amount of depth to their characters. I also appreciated that they both allowed themselves to change for each other but not in any unrealistic ways.
This author definitely has writing skills as I never felt like the plot became slow or repetitive. I also liked that it showed just enough of the other residents of the town to keep looking forward to future installments in the series without them overshadowing the main characters. I have already preordered the third book and am looking forward to traveling back to the world of Pine Hollow when it comes out.
After reading the first book in the series last year, I knew I found another series to obsess over and this was a great follow up to the first novel. While I could've used more dogs for sure, the storyline itself was really well thought out and the character development was perfect. I love that I could see myself in both Connor and Deenie and became invested in their relationship right from the beginning and that they both had a good amount of depth to their characters. I also appreciated that they both allowed themselves to change for each other but not in any unrealistic ways.
This author definitely has writing skills as I never felt like the plot became slow or repetitive. I also liked that it showed just enough of the other residents of the town to keep looking forward to future installments in the series without them overshadowing the main characters. I have already preordered the third book and am looking forward to traveling back to the world of Pine Hollow when it comes out.
July 2, 2021
I read and loved the first book in this series, and this one is just as good!
Connor, one of the bff’s of book one’s main characters adopted a big Irish wolfhound mix that is destroying his home. Connors a workaholic and needs some help in the training dept. He also needs a plus one for some work events.
Deenie volunteers at the animal shelter and apparently has the magic touch where Maximus (the Irish wolfhound mix) is concerned. She also needs a plus one for some family events. Her day job is putting in character themed birthday parties (she’s typically a princess).
So we’ve got fake dating and opposites attract tropes. And this is the best small town. I am loving seeing the characters from book one and can’t wait for the next one!! Pick it up!
Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Connor, one of the bff’s of book one’s main characters adopted a big Irish wolfhound mix that is destroying his home. Connors a workaholic and needs some help in the training dept. He also needs a plus one for some work events.
Deenie volunteers at the animal shelter and apparently has the magic touch where Maximus (the Irish wolfhound mix) is concerned. She also needs a plus one for some family events. Her day job is putting in character themed birthday parties (she’s typically a princess).
So we’ve got fake dating and opposites attract tropes. And this is the best small town. I am loving seeing the characters from book one and can’t wait for the next one!! Pick it up!
Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2021
Thank you @netgalley for an early copy of Once Upon a Puppy. After reading and loving The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, I couldn’t wait to get back to Pine Hollow and learn more about Deenie & Connor!
Connor and Deenie were ready to fight for what they wanted. Between becoming partner at his firm and Deenie determined to stay free spirited and not boxed in, I wasn’t sure how they were going to get to their HEA and compromise. But they found their way and I adored it! Their wise cracks between each other had me laughing, and Connor definitely had me swooning!
There’s something said when an author names a hero Connor. There hasn’t been a single Connor I’ve read about that I haven’t loved and Conner Wyeth is no exception! Gosh he was perfect. And Deenie. I loved her free spirit, her sparkle & her overall being. As someone who had a family member with Alzheimer’s, her connection with her great aunt Bitty stood out to me as well.
We also get snipits of Ally, Ben, Astrid and the dogs which was so fun! Overall, I recommend Once Upon a Puppy, especially if you loved The Twelve Dogs of Christmas.
4/5 ⭐️
Connor and Deenie were ready to fight for what they wanted. Between becoming partner at his firm and Deenie determined to stay free spirited and not boxed in, I wasn’t sure how they were going to get to their HEA and compromise. But they found their way and I adored it! Their wise cracks between each other had me laughing, and Connor definitely had me swooning!
There’s something said when an author names a hero Connor. There hasn’t been a single Connor I’ve read about that I haven’t loved and Conner Wyeth is no exception! Gosh he was perfect. And Deenie. I loved her free spirit, her sparkle & her overall being. As someone who had a family member with Alzheimer’s, her connection with her great aunt Bitty stood out to me as well.
We also get snipits of Ally, Ben, Astrid and the dogs which was so fun! Overall, I recommend Once Upon a Puppy, especially if you loved The Twelve Dogs of Christmas.
4/5 ⭐️
June 10, 2021
4.5/5
Y’all may remember last Christmas I was raving about the first book in this series, it was SO freaking cute I almost couldn’t take it. I’m happy to say book two was just as adorable, when an author makes me want to move to a fictional town you know I’m obsessed and I’m planning my pretend trip to Pine Hollow daily.
Ok this one has fake dating, opposites attract, cute dogs obviously, small town charm and so much heart. Pick this one up when you’re in the mood for a sweet romance that will give you all the warm and cozy feelings
Y’all may remember last Christmas I was raving about the first book in this series, it was SO freaking cute I almost couldn’t take it. I’m happy to say book two was just as adorable, when an author makes me want to move to a fictional town you know I’m obsessed and I’m planning my pretend trip to Pine Hollow daily.
Ok this one has fake dating, opposites attract, cute dogs obviously, small town charm and so much heart. Pick this one up when you’re in the mood for a sweet romance that will give you all the warm and cozy feelings
June 24, 2021
I’ve been looking forward to Deenie’s story since we met her in the first book in the series. She’s an interesting character and not one to be in one place for too long.
Connor is a man with a plan. He is strait-laced, hardworking, and on his way to partner in his law firm. But, the partners think he is working too much and will burn out before he reaches age 35. His fiancée left him a year ago—just thirteen days before their wedding. Work has been his escape. Well, he also got a dog, Max, that he can’t control.
Deenie helps out Ally at Furry Friends where Max is in training. Due to work, Connor hasn’t been making the classes. He offers to pay Deenie to train Max for him. Soon, their deal changes when she needs dates to her sister’s upcoming wedding functions and he needs someone to “schmooze” his bosses at his company—to show them that he’s not all work.
I enjoyed this sweet, opposites attract, fake dating story. Of course, the puppies helped, too!
Thank you to Forever Publishing for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
Connor is a man with a plan. He is strait-laced, hardworking, and on his way to partner in his law firm. But, the partners think he is working too much and will burn out before he reaches age 35. His fiancée left him a year ago—just thirteen days before their wedding. Work has been his escape. Well, he also got a dog, Max, that he can’t control.
Deenie helps out Ally at Furry Friends where Max is in training. Due to work, Connor hasn’t been making the classes. He offers to pay Deenie to train Max for him. Soon, their deal changes when she needs dates to her sister’s upcoming wedding functions and he needs someone to “schmooze” his bosses at his company—to show them that he’s not all work.
I enjoyed this sweet, opposites attract, fake dating story. Of course, the puppies helped, too!
Thank you to Forever Publishing for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
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August 31, 2025Like book one, this was very cute. Lower in dog propaganda, but still with cute dog scenes. A whole mess of rom com tropes here: antagonism to love, fake dating, let's get it out of our systems without feelings. I appreciate that it's a woman who's terrified of commitment and a man who is fully on board with it. The conflict and her actual issues feel less resolved than fixed, if that makes sense. But overall a fun time.
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