Love Is a Four-Legged Word

by Kandy Shepherd

For readers who loved Pug Hill -a charming romantic comedy debut novel about matchmaking and a millionaire mutt.

Romance is for the dogs...

Tom O'Brien is close to making partner at the hottest law firm in San Francisco, provided his newest client doesn't foul things up. Brutus Stoddard is rich and spoiled, craves attention, and drools. The fact that he's a dog doesn't help matters.

Brutus has inherited a multimillion-dollar estate from his late owner, as well as a pretty guardian named Madeline Cartwright, professional chef and the eccentric old man's surrogate granddaughter. Tom finds her-and her culinary creations- irresistible.

If Tom is to get that promotion, he has to maintain the terms of the will. That means keeping both Brutus and Maddy happy. He's trying his hardest to keep the arrangement professional, but with two clients this adorable, Tom's suddenly craving a different kind of partnership altogether.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Dogs, Animals

328 pages, Paperback

First published May 22, 2009

About the author

Kandy Shepherd left a fast-paced career as a magazine editor to write award-winning romantic fiction.
Kandy lives in a small farm in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia, with her husband, daughter and a menagerie of four-legged friends.
She believes in love-at-first-sight and real-life romance—they worked for her!

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. Pet heir. Love blossoms between a lawyer and the pet’s guardian.

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very light, funny read. So if something deep is what you're looking for, then this isn't it. But it is a very cute story. I'll definitely be reading Kandy's next book, Home is Where the Bark Is. Although Maddy sometimes came across as a little flighty, I did enjoy the dynamic between her and Tom. The attraction between the two of them was instant, but they didn't act on it immediately. Upon first meeting, Tom believed Maddy to be the mistress of Walter, the millionaire who left his fortune to Maddy to care for his dog Brutus. And Maddy believed Tom to be rather uptight.

The plot moved along pretty quickly, so I didn't end up have pages to skim. Jerome, the greedy relative, added some extra action to the storyline. And Serena, Maddy's best friend, also added to the story. It would be nice if we also get to see Tom's mother, Helen find love. I look forward to seeing what else the author has in store in the future.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is a Four-Legged Word is the first book I have read by Kandy Shepherd and found it was a cute and funny read. Usually I'm not a fan of books like this about a dog but this one has made me change my opinion and hope to put more books like this in my library at home.

[Lizzy Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming, mad-cap story by a talented Aussie author.

Love is a Four-Legged Word is a light, fun-filled read. Its quirky characters, an aspiring celebrity chef and an uptight lawyer, are brought together when the chef's elderly neighbour dies, leaving her the guardian of an ugly pug who inherits a fortune.

Set on the west coast of the USA, this zany romance reminds me of an old Cary Grant movie - it has the same, light-hearted, feel-good factor. In this story's world, nothing is too serious, despite seeming life-and-death stakes for the "millionaire mutt". It's impossible not to be charmed by the heroine, Maddy, with her bubbly personality and whacky way of seeing the world. Even uptight Tom, the lawyer hero, proves to be just as lovable by the end.

Some readers think the ugly mutt Brutus steals the show, but I disagree. It's Kandy Shepherd's delightful comic voice that makes this story. Kandy's writing persona very much reflects her warmth and humour in real life - it shines through her stories.

I first read Love is a Four-Legged Word years ago, and only recently reread it after the sequel Home is Where the Bark Is, which tells the story of Maddy's model friend Serena. (Also an excellent read.) The sequence doesn't matter: each novel stands well on its own. Kandy's Castaway Bride came out on ebook recently - and I'm not surprised to see it is topping the best-seller lists.

I'm looking forward to more. How about it, Kandy?

(This review was first put up on Amazon in July 2011 and has been slightly revised.)

[Ariel Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is a Four-Legged Word by Kandy Shepherd follows the tale of girl-next-door, baker Madeline "Maddy" Cartwright and hot, determined lawyer Tom O'Brien. Maddy is an old soul just begging to get her own cooking show, after all she has worked her butt off to get to where she is now. She comes across a small problem when a dog has inherited a multimillion-dollar estate from his late owner. Maddy must take care of him. As if that isn't enough on her plate, fit and extremely attractive Tom has similarly worked his butt off to make partner at his firm, walks in to Maddy's life. Although they try to cool the heat between them, they just can't deny the chemistry that sizzles every time they brush hands. Can they keep it together and further their careers, or will they give in to their heated temptations?

[Lyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading "Love is a Four-Legged Word" by Kandy Shepherd...LOVED this book! Maybe I'm just into the easy read, fun, romantic books these days but I just loved it.

Summary: Maddy's landlord passes away and Maddy had promised to take care of his dog, Brutus. Tom, big shot lawyer, comes in to tell Maddy that Walter has left his millions of dollars to Brutus (AKA Maddy since she's the legal owner). Of course, Walter's greedy little nephew comes in to threaten Maddy and Brutus and Tom swoops in to the rescue.

Of course, this is very predictable as you can only imagine what happens with Tom and Maddy's relationship. It wasn't quite the page turner that "Match Me If You Can" was but it was still a good, fun, easy read.

[Sami Captain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutus, although ugly, was the glue that held this book together. After his master, Walter, passes away and leaves his fortune to his downstairs tenet headlines spread lies that there was a secret relationship. Then handsome lawyer Tom O’Brien comes to the rescue to save what she has rightfully be gifted. Although something more seems to be happening between them. Will they be able to make it through the 21 days of probate without Brutus being targeted and killed, will this professional relationship turn into something more? Kandy Sheppard does a phenomenal job keeping readers on the edge of their seats while reading this novel!

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very "sweet" novel.
Cute.
Funny.
Light/Easy read.
The death of a Multimillionaire landlord who will's his estate to Brutus (his "Heinz 57" dog) and Maddy (his Granddaughter-like/tenant).
A serious/stuffy lawyer that delivers and follows through with the will's details, while trying to stick to his "five-year-plan" that did not include the loveable, soon-to-be-famous-chef Maddy. Will the Matchmaker(s) succeed in playing cupid?

[Sonali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is a Four Legged Word is the first book i have read by Kandy Sheperd and it was definitely worth the read. A fun, lighthearted read filled with humor, sass, romance and an adorable mutt. A book that has found space on my keeper shelf.

[Kristin Higgs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was entertaining...I wish you could give half stars...i would give it 3.5

[Cyn Delia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I had quite a few issues with this book, I still enjoyed it. It was an easy to read fun book.

[Ldlimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

To have a dog, money and find love in 21 days makes for a good book.

[Shallowreader VaVeros · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love the cover but I just couldn't get past the first chapter - I must have been in a bad headspace when I tried to read this. On the plus side - both my sisters loved the book.

[Terea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cutesy, fun read.

[Colletta Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, light, read with adult situations.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute love story.
An amusing contemporary romance where the dog, Brutus, steals the show,

[Jen Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Not written well, in my opinion. If you pick it up, you will have figured out why I say this by page 8. He is more focused on her body than the job he is there to do. It's creepy. Let the reader get to know the characters first before starting this line of thinking or we will think he is a lech.

[Mariah Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this book a 4/5. The reason behind that is because my book was very slow paced; and very hard to understand and points in time. There where parts where I had no idea at all what was going on in the book. Mostly the part where the dog got all the money was a hard part for me to comprehend. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys like drama, or suspense books.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little short read!

[Netty ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just an overall good feels book. Predictable but loving and a very quick page turning read. Really enjoyed this book. Made me happy and smile alot.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but it was seriously cheesy and the plot left a lot to be desired.

[Dotty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very sweet book. I enjoyed it and anyone who loves animals (dogs & cats) will also enjoy it. It’s not great literature, but it was enjoyable and a very quick read.

[Bridget Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom O'Brien is an orderly man with a five-year plan to keep his life on the right track. His stellar work as an attorney at a prestigious law firm has him in line for a partnership and a coveted corner office. Into every perfectly aligned life plan, chaos and spontaneity must enter. The delightful disorder in Tom's life comes in the form of a little mixed-breed dog named Brutus who is the heir to a fortune. Along with Brutus comes his undeniably appealing guardian, Maddy Cartwright. Brutus' late owner, Walter Stoddard, had lived a very modest life, and his closest friends, including Maddy, had no idea that he was a multi-millionaire. Tom's law firm is handling Walter's estate, and Tom is responsible for maintaining the terms of Walter's last will and testament. When Tom informs Maddy that she has inherited both Brutus and a vast fortune, she is stunned. Tom is even more stunned by his immediate strong attraction to the charming, red-haired Maddy. A professional chef as delightful as the delicious desserts she creates, Maddy is unprepared for the changes in her life. Most of all, she never expected Walter's lawyer to be a gorgeous, chocolate-eyed hunk whose deep dimples war with his stern exterior. Before Tom and Maddy can find their own personal pot of gold, they are besieged by mischief, meddlers, mystery, and the paparazzi! Kandy Shepherd writes wonderful romances that are as sweet as they are sensual. Her writing gives you that same warm feeling inside that you get when you watch Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan at their romantic comedy best in "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail". It's a feeling that doesn't come along every day, and that makes it even more special. If you love being in love, have a very special affection for your pets and other animals, and you appreciate great food, then you will adore this book! As soon as you read "Love is a Four-Legged Word", you will immediately want to read the sequel, "Home is Where the Bark Is". Both of these books are on my keeper shelf, destined to be reread!

Review Copy Gratis Author

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maddy Cartwright inherits her landlord, Walter's dog. No one knew that Walter was a millionaire and he bequeathes everything to his dog, Brutus and his guardian. Everyone, including, their lawyer, tom O'Brien assumes the worst about Maddy and Walter's relationship, but he was like a grandfather to her, and she a granddaughter. There is a 21 day clause in the will that forces Tom and Maddy to work together; and of course the will is contested by a distant, money hungry relative. Through this process a romance begins...
This is not a Christian book. I had forgotten how much secular books differed from Christian ones, and not in all obvious ways. There were some cute moments in the book as the main characters shared adventures with a dog in mourning. Unfortunately there was some bad language, and although, when I signed up to judge this contest, I agreed to read only mild romances, there was still a little too much in this one. Apparently "mild" does not mean moral; it definitely does not mean Christian. The entire focus of the book was very superficial. There was so much about appearances and "how he makes her feel" or vice versa. What about who he is? I skimmed through most of this book in order to fulfill my duties, and I have learned my lesson: I will stick with books that are clearly labeled Christian.
As far as writing goes, the characters were well-developed; the heroine was cute, and the villain was horrible. The story progressed quickly and smoothly. Again, there were some cute moments; it could have been a fun story, but it did not work for me. I would not recommend this book.

[LAZYMOODZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

** Disclaimer ** This book was a gift, part of a giveaway. All opinions are of my own. Thank you.

I thought this was a nice read. It wasn't dramatic at all. For the most part it was enjoyable to read. I just didn't like the fact that the two leads kept dancing around their attraction for each other. It got sort of annoying. Overall it's quite a cheerful story that includes one cute little mutt.

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best character in the whole story was Brutus, the loveable mutt. I was a little put off by the swearing in the book, it seemed to have more than most of the mainstream romances that I've read. The best part of the book was the last scene with Brutus and Coco and their doggie family creating chaos in Maddy's apartment. Other than that one scene this wasn't a book that I would read again. However I love the idea of people meeting through their pets. Are there any good ones out there?

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good for first novel. I found the characters to be charming for the most part, though toward the end the heroine bugged me some.

The mystery wasn't as well done. The actions of the villain and the h/h didn't make much sense in that respect. Overall the romance was good but the mystery left quite a bit to be desired.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read - good for vacation or sitting by poolside or beach. Plot is simple and predictable, but it fit the bill for me as something easy to pick up and read a chapter or two every day while on vacation.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have been better served if it had been turned into a work of fiction with romantic elements instead of a straight forward contemporary romance. The idea is very good and really could have been something if the author could have developed it.