Review: Pride and Puppies

I’ve gotten away from reading “true” romances these days. You know the ones, where the entire plot is based around two characters who will end up together at the end of the story without much else happening. I make an exception for Lizzie Shane, however. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying her Pine Hollow series and the latest, Pride and Puppies, was no exception. It was so delightful!

Here’s the book’s description:

Dr. Charlotte Rodriguez is single—again—and she blames Jane Austen. She made brooding, aloof men sound oh so dreamy. But after years of failing to find her own Mr. Darcy, Charlotte decides it’s time to swear off dating. She’s going to lavish all her love and affection on someone who actually deserves it: her new puppy, Bingley.
And there’s no one better to give her pet advice than her neighbor and coworker George Leneghan. He’s quiet and patient and, best of all, way too sweet to ever be her type. But as their friendly banter turns flirty, the unimaginable happens—Charlotte starts catching feelings.
Just as Charlotte is trying to untangle what it is she truly wants, George announces he’s contemplating a cross-country move. Suddenly, Charlotte wonders if she’s kept her soulmate in the friend zone so long that she’s entirely missed her chance at a happily ever after. Dear Reader, could it be possible she’s had it wrong all this time?

First things first, this is not a Pride and Prejudice retelling. It is, however, an homage to Jane Austen, an author who is clearly close to Lizzie Shane’s heart. Charlotte and her sisters were all named after Austen characters - and yes, Charlotte can’t believe she’s named after heroine Elizabeth Bennet’s best friend who marries the horrid Mr. Collins - because their mother had loved the author. So, once you know that you’re not expecting Mr. Darcy to stride across the moors, you can buckle in for a sweet and fun romance that has lovely Austen touches.

I love a good friends to lovers trope but it’s always hard when it’s clear one of the characters has romantic feelings from the start and the other is an oblivious idiot. That was the case with this book as George most definitely wanted to date Charlotte as soon as he met her but Charlotte just didn’t see him as someone for her. Surprise, surprise, she had some work to do on herself and her self-esteem. A bit of a tired trope? Perhaps. But it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of this book one bit.

Part of the appeal of these books is the small town they’re set in, Pine Hollow. It’s the quintessential small town setting and so lovely. I’d move there in a heartbeat. The neighbours all look out for each other, there are great shops and restaurants to enjoy, and they have lots of nature in their backyard. What’s not to love? (Why, yes, I am a small town girl at heart.)

You don’t have to read all the books in Lizzie Shane’s Pine Hollow series but I think you should. Pride and Puppies was such a lovely romance and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series. What kind of doggos will we get to meet next?!?

*An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*