A Dog called Valentine by Roxanne Snopek

A DOG CALLED VALENTINE
ROXANNE SNOPEK
ISBN# (13) 978-1-949707-53-3
January 2019
The Tule Publishing Inc.

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Digital
$3.99
160 pages
Sweet Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 cups

Lily is an interior decorator who also volunteers at an animal shelter. When they have a flood in their old building, she agrees to take one dog to foster. The manager tasks her with making him adoption ready in a few weeks. Lily has had cats but never a dog. This pup, with the unlikely name of Valentine, proves to be a double handful. Though loveable, he has many problems and escapes within a few hours. Then matters just keep getting worse!

Formerly in law enforcement, Shane is recovering from a near fatal shooting where his K9 partner was killed. Wounded in both body and spirit, he is still trying to help his grandmother restore her lovely old home. Out for a walk, he captures a runaway dog and meets the frazzled woman trying to control the powerful fuzzy beast. The next day the same dog shows up at his house. Although he has vowed to stay away from dogs which stir the pain of losing his beloved partner, he can see the woman struggling with the untrained pup urgently needs help.

They quickly reach a working agreement. Lily will help Shane select colors to paint his grandma’s house and advise on his restoration efforts while he will help her handle the unruly dog. Meanwhile they can mollify her mother and his grandmother, both desperate to see each of them in a long term relationship, by pretending to be dating and on the verge of hooking up.

Who is not a sucker for a dog, especially one that has been abused and mistreated? And, who cannot sympathize with any single who is constantly harassed by a loving matchmaker? I fell in love with Lily and Shane at once. They were so sympathetic and genuine. I also became deeply invested in their struggles. There were hilarious moments with the dog to balance the more stern and sad realities of their lives. They were so clearly made for each other, but reluctant to admit it, fearful to hope because of past pain. This was a delightful, touching and uplifting story where both lovable main characters truly earned their eventual happily-ever-after and even Valentine gets his!

AZGaye
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance and More