Not That Kind of Girl

Dog Walkers #3

by Susan Donovan

Roxanne Bloom is through with love. Fresh on the heels of a bad break-up, she’s decided to devote all her time to her man-slamming website—and her man-hating dog, Lilith. But this pit-bull-Boxer is so good at unleashing her fury (and her owner’s) that the male victims keep piling up…and now it’s time to get some sensitivity training. Enter Eli Gallagher, one of the best—and hottest—canine experts in town.

 

The more Eli gets to know Roxie, the more he senses that she’s been hurt by men in the past—just like her dog. With a little gentle prodding, and a whole lot of patience, Eli hopes to gain Roxie’s trust and soothe her broken heart. Eli can see that Roxie’s bark is way worse than her bite. But she’s not putting her guard down just yet—even if she is falling deeply, madly, doggedly in love with him...

 

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

338 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 30, 2010

About the author

SUSAN DONOVAN's novels have won accolades for being witty, sexy, and entertaining. A former newspaper reporter with journalism degrees from Northwestern University, Susan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose novels have been translated into dozens of languages. Susan is a two-time RITA Award finalist, and her novel TAKE A CHANCE ON ME was named Best Contemporary Romance of 2003 by RT Book Reviews magazine. She lives in New Mexico with her family and dogs.

Reviews

[LaFleurBleue · Rating 2 out of 5]

First let me start with a rant
I'd like to know who is the person who arranged the dog walker trilogy in one single ebook and why that idiotic lunatic thought to start the trilogy with the third book in the series!
I had my doubts about that from the beginning of the book but I was in a plane with no Internet access.

I am not sure reading that book after the other 2 would have redeemed much to my eyes, as this wasn't a satisfying read for me.
I don't like when characters are over the top, overreact all the time, build mountains out of molehills. That's the heroine. I don't like when former boyfriends who were once beloved turn out to be devious mean assholes. That's the heroine's former boyfriend. My already low opinion about her fell a few more grades below earth with that.
The hero was way too perfect and frankly quite bland and tasteless to me. His explanations regards the failure of his past relationships and his initial refusal of having lunch with Roxie were easy and rather unconvincing.
And usually I like stories when characters help each other to grow into someone better. In that case, not so much, it was way too much one sided (hero helping clueless helpless heroine). And the transformation happened so quickly, I didn't believe in it at all.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Line: "The room nearly overflowed with hope, joy, and love, and Roxanne Bloom knew if she didn't get out of there within the next thirty seconds, the top of her head would blow off."

I have very mixed feelings about this book. Let me start with the things I loved. First, this is the last in the series and I really appreciated Donovan's depiction of female friendship. I was so excited to watch the continued growth of the friends and their pets and to watch as all three of Roxie's friends jumped in to support their friend no matter how dark her life became. I loved that the book featured a pitbull mix and dealt with issues of good pet-parenthood and rehabilitating abused animals. I enjoyed meeting Eli, the hero, in all his sweet, sexy cowboyness. I even liked Roxie, although I did not identify with how she handled her issues with men as I tend to have the complete opposite reaction.

However, there were a few things that I just could not quite reconcile with enough to truely enjoy the story. I was hoping that Beatrice would have her own book. She is a very strong, wonderful woman who just happens to be a lesbian. I know that same-sex romance novels are ... not often mainstream. However, I felt that she deserved her own love story, rather than having her romance tacked on to the end of Roxie's. I did like the twist her fate takes, but I would have really loved to get to know her better. Second - and this is a major spoiler so stop reading now if you don't want to know - I just could not deal with the fact that Eli was the son of Roxie's previous lover. Personally, that would have been too much of an ick factor for me - one that I'm not sure I could have overcome even for my soulmate.

So there it is. For part of the book I could give five stars, for others one star, so I settled for three. I would still recommend this series to fans of contemporary romance and will look forward to more by Donovan.

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was by far my favorite of the series. I could more identify myself in some of the things Roxy did. The anger, hurt and disgust at men...been there, done those tears. I liked Ely from the other books and thought that he was a good match for Roxy, eventually.

Eli is all set to try and put Roxy out of his mind once and for all, when he gets her call for help. Of course Ely can't say no and ends up helping Lilith, Roxy and himself as they work their way toward a happy ending.

I didn't give it 5 stars because the ending was a bit too soap operish and there was one niggling detail at the end that didn't seem right, but other than those things, that book was really good and I enjoyed it.

[Maureen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book lost me...when I can't feel engaged 1/4 quarter into the book, I have to leave, which I did.

[Cathleen Ferrara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book at first, but the further I went, the more it sucked me in. almost wish I could have seen this as a movie or show now. I good read for sure!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a detailed review, just thoughts I had while reading this:
- Hero of the story Eli seems like such a sweet and patient man, I really liked him, that is until half way through the book at the couple's first sex scene when he suddenly got all overly-domineering, chanting repeatedly "you're mine" like a possessive maniac, and speaking to her condescendingly like, "You know it's in your best interest to follow the program right? That's a good girl." It seriously reads like he's treating her in bed like he's training a dog. I mean, I get that the author is trying to pull parallels with Roxie and Lillith's behaviour, and the whole "I freak women out when I let go" angle with Eli, but I felt that is taking it a bit too far. Very off-putting scene to read, and I never saw Eli the same way after that scene. A pity, because he was perfect right until then.
- Didn't see the necessity of reading portions of the book from scumbag Raymond's POV. But I did read them anyway despite thinking they weren't necessary, so after reading and being sufficiently repulsed by this villain ex-bf, I was suitably horrified and in disbelief to find out that he turns out to be Eli's father?! Talk abt eww. It's bad enough that this trash of a human being was nasty to Roxie, basically raped Eli's mother in the past (she was unconscious and hence cannot give consent), and tried to take advantage of his assistant Dusty, like after allllll that, I don't understand why he was still redeemed in the epilogue by being able to "have a relationship" with Eli and attending their wedding? I'm sorry but there was no redeeming quality in Raymond at all, and I'd rather not see him be included in the "happily ever after". Leaves a bad aftertaste to the epilogue imo.

[Christine Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Not that Kind of Girl

Cover: 5
Plot: 5
Characters: 5

Overall Rating: 5 GLORIA NEEDLEMAN STARS!




Mrs. Needleman is at it again!

Roxanne Bloom has had a very shitty relationship in the past and that has made her very wary with men. But when her dog Lilith needed to be trained, a certain Elias Jedidiah Gallagher, a dog whisperer would be the one to do it. And maybe along the way make Roxanne believe in love again.

Why did this have to end? Have you ever felt sad after reading a book since you never wanted that experience to stop? Well, this is what I felt after reading this book.



This is a great ending to a very excellent trilogy!

I was really sad that Mrs. Needleman died since without her they wouldn't have found their happy ever afters. But I guess it was really her time to go and meet her beloved Ira on the other side.

The characters were really great and I really loved the fact that everyone has ended with their own happily ever after.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eli made this story.
& I can end this review right here, but I think I can elaborate a bit.
The dog trainer was a little bit timid in my eyes, not actively persuing Roxie. although he was a very kind-hearted man, so that kinda made up for it.
that whole scene when he was introducing Roxie to his mother made me laugh out loud. not many men can introduce a know man-hater to their mother using a straight face and an ability to laugh at the situation. I admit that that's the part where I started to thaw towards him.
Roxie is a very strong and independant woman who takes up blogging about the terrible actions of men to make a living after the fall of her newspaper. (I really hope I'm not looking into the future here. Although, If I were to start blogging about something, It would probably be the lack of good trades Joe Dumars has made in the last few years).
I adimtt that I was totally creeped out by the whole grabbing of the neck and yelling "you're mine" that Eli has a tendency to do during sex. I would have been like his former girlfriend and run off, freaking out about this creep with an apparent love for asphyxiation. I do apluad Roxie for putting up with it.
& that whole thing about Eli's biological father.... i don't think Roxie SHOULD have been able to get over that. It was just too freaky for words!
A much more interesting story than the previous one even though i'm not a dog person.
& i was shocked that Bea turned out to be gay... i really thought she was gonna shock us there, but no.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I *LOVE* most of Susan Donovan's novels... so her last one (which was so bad I couldn't finish) had me anxious about what I'd find here with this conclusion to her "dog walker" trilogy.

The good:
* Really excellent relationship with the main characters, as well as interesting side plots. All that I love in a great contemporary romance.
* Development, falling in love, etc. not just 'lusty' attraction. Love that.
* Funny, heart warming, sad, and happy moments - a total package.
* Lots of scenes with dogs and dog training - was interesting to me, and well described in my experience.

um... there was just one BAD in this book. To be honest, it nearly RUINED the whole book for me. This book has one scene where our couple gets together for the first time... and it's AWFUL. I'm not a fan of graphic sex scenes in books as it is - but this was beyond ick. The worst part was that the dude, well, you know how to assert dominance over a dog sometimes you flip it on it's back and gently hold it's neck? Um... he likes to do that... during sex.

I wish the author had just not written the scene because good lord. I loved the book minus that WHOLE scene. I didn't need to know about that. I couldn't get back into the story in quite the same way after that display. If I go *la la la la I can't hear you* and delete that entire scene I loved the book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by Susan Donovan and is the latest installment in her dog walker series. In this book we get to know the feisty Roxanne Bloom. Recently split from her power-hungry attorney ex, Roxanne has adopted a dog with a major distrust of men. So much so that she ends up needing to be rehabilitated by a dog whisperer named Eli Gallagher.

Although I didn’t remember this part, apparently these two met at one of her friends’ weddings. The sparks flew then, and continued to fly in this book. These two can’t seem to decide who’s the alpha dog, but pretty soon in becomes apparent that they shouldn’t try to fight their interest in each other.

Roxie wasn’t my favorite character in the series. I’m not a huge man-hater, even when I was one, so I don’t often get the level of anger that motivated Roxie to create her blog and her general distrust in men. Eli was a little too controlled for me. His character interested me, and I always like books about pets–especially when it’s about handling pets in a way they understand. I really liked the ending, though, so that made it all worth it. If you liked the other books in this series, check this one out, too. Having met the author at a conference in 2010, I know writing a series wasn’t her first choice, but I think she did a great job pulling this one together. Kudos!

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roxanne is filled with so much anger and resentment toward men that it spills over into her dog. The dog whisperer is there to show her how to live in peace and harmony with herself. But there is an attraction between them that even her general hatred of men cannot keep at bay.

My least favorite of the three books. Still a decent read but I know that I won't be rereading this one. My favorite character from this book by far was Bea. Too bad she won't get her own book. She deserved one but I'm still happy with her ending. Eli was my problem in this book. If he treated Roxy any more like a dog I was going to be a bit ill. He does everything but teach her to sit up and beg. Wait a sec, let me think. Let me revise that to he does everything but teach her to sit up. And it seams to be how he treats women in the book.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL by Susan Donovan is an interesting contemporary romance.

It is the third in "The Dog Walker Trilogy".Book One "Ain't To Proud To Beg,Book Two,"The Night She Got Lucky".Although,this is the third, it can be read as a stand alone.This was my first of this series. It is well written with depth and details. It has romance, love,dog training,dogs,snappy dialogue,and friends.This is a romantic comedy involving canines and the human heart. It is also about the chemistry between Eli and Roxanne,it is sexy,and funny. Four friends get together to exercise dogs and discuss their relationships or their nonsense relationships. It is fast paced and will keep you turning the pages.This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher and details can be found at St.Martin's Paperbacks,published by St.Martin's Press and My Book Addiction and More.

[Kimberly Kincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is book three in a three book series, I read it independently and felt right at home. It was clear right away that an absolute ton of research had been done to write this book, and the details were great. I thought the characters were well drawn out-- even though Roxie came across as really harsh in places, she had good reason for that and it was uncovered relatively quickly, so it made her very real and I loved that. I could see that she was going to have a personal journey in the book, and was interested to see her growth as her relationship with Eli progressed. It made me root for her all the more!

Be forewarned-- this book will make you want a puppy-- and a cowboy :)

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is up for a RITA award. Having gotten through 2/3 of it, I'm still not sure why....

The hero is likeable. The heroine is someone you can sort of identify with. But I've found at least 3 GLARING plot inconsistencies and frankly, I hate that. She's also working that "I'm a hip modern writer, so I'm going fill this tome with slang and wordy sarcasm" mojo. Personally, I'm not a fan of this trend.

On the other hand, I don't mistake trashy romance novels for literature. I will probably finish it because first, I do happen to like the hero (not love him, but admire him like a friend) and second, it shouldn't take long.

[E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had some misgivings when I realized something about the heroine's past that really made me uncomfortable. Let's just say that the hero and heroine were made for each other but that one little detail from the heroine's past just didn't sit well with me.

As for the rest of the book, it wasn't so bad. The recurring characters from this series were all there, and the dogs were adorable. I may not had read the other books of this series, but I still felt a sense of camaraderie from the group of women that the series is focused on. I guess this would be a good end to the series, if I had read the rest of the books.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Roxie showed me how our pain can reflect or deflect to others. I just recently lost my Dad to cancer and three other family members this year. This book is a part of my healing. My Favorite quote(PG 326), " Suddenly it was so simple. she had to accept the new order of things. What choice is there? She was standing in the middle of a combined earthquake, volcano, and direct asteroid hit, and when it was all over, the pieces of her world would never fit together the same way again.
Unearthed secrets. New Life. Old age. Pain. Joy. Death. love. The facts were the facts. How she reacted to them was the only thing in her control"

[Nonieღserenity2bliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love:

1. Eli - This silent and sexy alpha male is the kind of guy you want to bring home to your mama and spent the rest of the day (and night) rolling around in bed.

Meh:

1. Everything else.

The heroine Roxy is difficult for me to like. I get that she has issues in the past (who doesn't?) but the way she dealt with it was unconvincing. Because of her issues, she became bitter and snappy and overall emotional wreck and almost impossible for me to relate, like, and empathize.

As for the story, it was just alright for me. I've read better.

[Leya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm making this short....well, shorter than usual...I didn't care for this story. Thing was I was really looking forward to this book, but I wasn't able to really get into the characters or the story for that matter. I found Roxie a pain the behind and Eli was ok but something about him didn't rub right. It was nice to see the rest of ladies though. And that little twist at the end just blew me away. Ewww....

This book was truly a waste of my time. And hate saying it, because I like the author. I was hoping for another He Loves Lucy and this one was anything but that. Grrr!

[Cheyenne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read other books by Donovan and I don't remember them being so mushy. I skimmed a lot. I've come across very few books that can convincingly, unsappily, convey the friendships that grow and exist between women. Sadly, this book, for me, was not one of them. Everyone seemed to be a little too happy, a little too stressed, concerned, evil, etc. Pretty much every emotion was felt too keenly for my taste. There was a lot of laughing at things that weren't really that funny. And I don't think the villain was properly punished at the end.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started off a little slow for a Susan Donovan, but once it got going, the relationship was very well plotted and described. I appreciate the heart the author put into the heroine's hang-ups and then, her transformation from a bitter woman into someone who is at peace with the world.

The dogs were a wonderful foil, and while I'm not interested enough to watch any of the animal behaviorists on television, the training of the heroines dog was a fascinating aspect.

[Cmkage · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book at all. The characters were awfully cliché and the 'villain' so one-sided I couldn't even muster enough interest to hate him. The plot, what little there was, was obvious and unoriginal. I got so bored, I was actually hoping the dog would be sentenced to death just so something interesting happens. The ending was predictable and resembled a bad talk show. The epilogue was so saccharine it made me throw up in my mouth. What a waste of time and paper.

[Lucia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The romance is too sudden. there is not much tension between the leads and I also think the part which it was discovered that Raymond is the biological father of Eli is too less. And Eli came to San Francisco to search for his biological father but the contents where it is focused on this is too less. It can be omitted so when it is discovered, it can be more of a shock. Still, it is bubbly, warm and cute story.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of those that I had to read because I'd read the other two books in the series. Some parts were fun and I liked that in the end Raymond ended up losing everything. I also really liked Eli as a character. But some of the problems in the book just seemed a little too far fetched. Roxie's website just kind of irritated me and seemed really immature

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the third in this series of dog walking friends who end up meeting Mr. Right. In this case, Roxie finds herself in desperate need of a dog whisperer for poor Lilith. Enter Eli, who is not only talented, but also proves to be the love of her life. Vicious dog hearings, sexual harassment, and angry outbursts ensue. Of course, it all works out in the end.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few things I liked about this book...it was laugh out loud funny, and Lilith the abused boxer mix was the main reason I picked it up, but I never felt like she came to life as a character. The whole book was too "dog whisperer", although ironically the author misspelled Cesar Millan's name when he's mentioned. And there were a few plot twists I just plain hated - ick.

[Emily Nalen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

I really did like this book, but I was so disappointed with the whole baby daddy thing. It was just so far fetched. However, the ending was good. Glad it wasn't dragged out into more wicked drama.

It was a cute series overall. I really enjoy Susan Donovan's writing and sense of humor. There were quite a few laugh out loud moments.

[Ann Lorz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a way to end a series. I would like to say that it was my favorite in the series but I'd have said that about the last one too. Eli and Roxanne are made for each other. His gentleness smooths out her rough ways. I'm glad that once again you have everyone from the past books and she tied up everything very well. Run out and get this series.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was, by far, the best book in a great series. The main characters really resonated with me. I'm a cryer, and this one made me get teary eyed a few times, but that is okay. Love is worth a few tears. We all have baggage, and when you find your true soul mate, you are both better together than you are apart. That is what this story is about.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The overall story was fun and I enjoyed the couple but those sex scenes were truly disturbing. A dog trainer going all "alpha" with his girlfriend who just so happens to be afraid of relationships and men was just plain ick.
I know in my heart he was nice and she was fine with it but all that MINE and throat holding....um....no.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

3rd book in the series. I really enjoyed. The characters are believable and the men in the series are easy to fall in love with. There was a major twist at the end of the story that caught me off guard but I don't mind because who wants their book to be completely predictable?

As a bonus, I picked up some tips on training my puppy!