For What It's Worth


Thursday, August 29, 2019

Review: Puppy Love (Forever Home, #1) by Lucy Gilmore



A brand new series from debut author Lucy Gilmore, featuring service puppies who might just be matchmakers in the making...
Sophie Vasquez runs Puppy Promise, a service puppy training organization. Sophie's always been treated as the frail baby of the family—a thing she hates but doesn't know how to change. Until, that is, she meets her newest client.


Harrison Parks is a wildfire firefighter who isn't allowed back in the field unless he finds a service dog. Reluctantly, he agrees, never expecting to be assigned a skittish Pomeranian and the equally skittish woman who's supposed to wrangle them both into order. As it turns out, they all have something to prove…and more than enough room in their hearts for a little puppy love. ~
Goodreads

Source: Library

Read for: DDoS (Dog Days of Summer) hosted by La La in the Library & Jo’s Book Blog Dog Days of Summer & book #2/36 for the Library Love Challenge – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures


Review:

Tamara Morgan for years. Her Winter Rescue series even centers around rescue dogs. I wouldn’t have realized it was her except for seeing the same author photo. Anyway – pen names baffle me sometimes and I’m glad I noticed it was the same person, because I quite liked her books under the Morgan pen name. Plus, I needed more books for the #DDoS reading challenge and I KNOW she would not harm a dog in her books.

The hype for this series kind of made me giggle when it first came out in May. It was being promoted as *debut author* Lucy Gilmore’s first book but I’ve been reading & enjoying her books under the name

But back to Puppy Love!

Puppy Promise is a service puppy training organization run by three sisters. Sophie Vasquez, who is in remission from childhood Leukemia, is still treated like a fragile child within her family, and finds the challenge she is looking for in grumpy wilderness firefighter, Harrison Parks. He goes to the service looking for a “manly” dog to train to detect his low blood sugar after being pulled off duty when he went into a diabetic coma.

Instead, he gets Bubbles the Pomeranian, who was rescued from a puppy mill and is afraid of fire. Harrison is SO not on board with this plan but needs to make it work in order to be allowed back to active duty. He’s sure his surly, intimidating nature will get the petite dog trainer to back down but nope – she and Bubble’s worm their way into his heart.

This is a low key kind of story but filled with heart and humor as the three prop each other up and overcome long held fears to move forward.

I always have a tough time reading about dogs (all pets really). Having worked for vets, shelters and training them, I get a little irritated about inaccuracies - but I will say that Gilmore handled it all well. Although I would not have matched a dog afraid of fire with a firefighter who needs a dog to be calm during dangerous situations - it does work out – and Sophie does use conditioning training so it all works out (mostly) realistically. I had to turn off that part of my brain a bit. lol

Both Sophie and Harrison are good people. A little hurt by life but with people helper cores. They seemed different at first (she’s small and timid – while he was big and grumpy) but they weren’t really. They’re a great match and I love how they stood up to and for each other whenever needed.

Bubbles was a key part of this story and Harrison learning to knit her little sweaters was beyond cute. So if you’re looking for something sweet, with a bit of humor and dogs that get their HEA along with the couple – check this one out.

* And I highly recommend reading Gilmore’s books under the Tamara Morgan pen name – my favorite is her Getting Physical series.

25 comments:

  1. I love that you are already familiar with her books. And when reading the premise this sounded perfect for you! It's puppies and love hehe. I am glad you enjoyed this book :) Great review!

    Olivia-S @ Olivia's Catastrophe

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    1. I was of course drawn by the cover lol but then when I looked up the author I was like HEY! I know her. I used to chat with her on twitter and review her indie pub'd books back int he day.

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  2. I thought that this was a cute read. I was more attached to Bubbles and Harrison's relationship than the actual romance though. I can relate to not wanting to read books that might have inconsistencies. I tend to stay away from military romances because more times than not it's all just stereotypical crap that isn't even accurate. So, I'm glad that this one didn't drive you up a wall.

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    1. Totally agree! I liked the romance but watching Harrison and Bubble's learn to work together was the highlight. And how much Bubble's softened Harrison and his dad.

      I think it's difficult to read/watch anything that takes place in your field. It's fiction so you need to let some things go lol but it still grates.

      Watching any submarine movies/documentaries with my husband is grueling since that's what he did in the Navy lol

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  3. This sounds good, I like that it is all about puppies. It sounds like a fun romance.

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  4. Pen names when I don't realize I'm reading another author just irritate me at times. This sounds cute.

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    1. I agree. Maybe if it's totally different genres or YA vs adult but most of the time I don't get it. Or when they get a pen name then put the other name under it lol J.R. Ward does that with historical romances.

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  5. There is something so sublime about pups in a book. Especially in romance novels. I mean, what's sexier than a man and his best friend?

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    1. He was so good the little pupper! Carrying it in a backpack, knitting it sweaters. Eep! I like them in romance because you pretty much know nothing bad will happen to them.

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  6. I thought this book was a lot of fun. Bubbles made me smile every time she was on page, and watching her and her grumpy owner was a thing of beauty.

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    1. Yeah they were honestly cuter than the romance lol

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  7. Glad you liked this one! I love animals in books, but it can be tough to read sometimes depending on the story line.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I'm REALLY cautious about it but I love when pets or animals are featured when it's fun.

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  8. PUPPY! I don't really read these kinds of books, but that cover is so adorable!

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  9. I can't do it! I cannot read books with animals. There's too much potential for heartache, and I lose my shit when animals die in books. I'd rather just avoid them entirely! The last time I tried, girl ended up sacrificing her doggy companion of like 10+ years. Hard no.

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

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  10. Looks like you're doing well with the Dog Days Challenge! Well done! I'm with Lindsi-I just lose it when dogs are mistreated or die in books so I don't read many with dogs in them!

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  11. He knits his little Pomeranian jumpers. I'm done. I find that aspect strange too, matching a rescue do who's scared of fire with a firefighter. I don't think a dog needs to be conditioned not to be afraid of fire, it would just cause the poor little dog unnecessary stress. I can't read anything with animal cruelty, deaths or even just animals in distress. I'm curious but still reluctant.

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  12. aww this seems like the perfect book to chill with on a warm day. Love these books that charm and delight and glad to hear you enjoyed it so much love.

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  13. Wonderful review. I need to grab this one.

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  14. I'm so impressed with the books I've seen you reading for the Dog Days of Summer challenge because you're finding books I've not seen before. This one sounds really cute. I definitely want to read this so thank you for introducing me to a new author.

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  15. I've got this series on my TBR. Thank's for the review and joining the library love challenge for 2019.

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