Description
There’s nothing like the unconditional love of a rescue dog and their ability to bring people together as these meant-to-be-couples are about to find out in these brand-new sweet and romantic tales from bestselling authors Lori Foster and Maisey Yates.
The Odd Couple * LORI FOSTER
Ford Caruso agrees to an unusual favor—playing the part of new boyfriend for his adamantly single, irresistibly sexy neighbor Skye Fairchild, whose clueless ex refuses to accept his fate. But as Skye starts dropping by to use Ford’s pool, and even plan dates, the charade begins to feel satisfyingly real, complete with choosing rescue dogs together—a giant mutt and a fierce little chihuahua who adore each other. From one odd couple to another, some things are destined . . .
Force of Nature * MAISEY YATES
Rescuing animals is in Lydia Clay’s blood, so when a mournful old cattle dog named Hank shows up at the shelter, she knows exactly where to take him: to cattle rancher Remington Lane, her brother’s hot, and usually grumpy, best friend. Hank belonged to Remy’s estranged father, which is one strike against him, but when Lydia offers to help the man ease into dog ownership, he can’t say no. And as he and Lydia work together, it looks like an old dog can actually teach this brooding cattleman some heart-warming new tricks . . .
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Sexual Content - 1/5
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Violence - 0/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 0/5
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Summary
Book Review: The Odd Couple by Lori Foster and Force of Nature by Maisey Yates
by Donna F
When I picked up The Odd Couple, I didn’t realize it was part of Lori Foster’s annual benefit anthology, which features recurring characters, close-knit friendships, and an animal rescue theme. I was delighted to learn that all advances and royalties from this book go directly to Foster’s local no-kill shelter—a cause close to my heart as all of my dogs have been rescues. That alone makes this book worth supporting.
The Odd Couple tells the sweet, slow-burn story of Ford and Skye, next-door neighbors who enter into a fake dating arrangement to fend off an overly persistent admirer. What starts as pretend quickly becomes very real, and their chemistry is undeniable. I especially enjoyed their playful banter, as well as the role of Skye’s twin and the dogs in the storyline. This is one of the most realistic portrayals of pet ownership I’ve read—these aren’t perfectly trained K9s, and that added a lovely, relatable touch. This is a closed-door romance, and although I haven’t read the previous books in the series, I still appreciated the camaraderie between the male characters and didn’t feel lost. It actually made me want to go back and read the rest!
Force of Nature by Maisey Yates features the best friend’s little sister trope. Lydia is head-over-heels for Remy, her older brother’s best friend, and has been for years. Remy, emotionally scarred by a rough upbringing, is reluctant to accept that he deserves love—especially from someone like Lydia. One of my favorite scenes was when Remy went to talk to Lydia’s mom who considers herself a secondary mom to Remy. I also appreciated Lydia’s confidence. With a menagerie of rescue animals and a whole lot of heart, this story has charm and emotional depth. While Lydia's over-the-top passion for animals felt unrealistic, the story overall was touching and satisfying.