REVIEW: "Beauty and the Wiener" by Casey Griffin (Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance)

BEAUTY AND THE WIENER by Casey Griffin
	Publisher: St. Martin's Press Genre: Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance Publication Date: February 7th 2017 Series: A Rescue Dog Romance, #2 Standalone: Yes
Categories:
Dog Lovers, Romance, Suspense
Other Books by Casey Griffin
#2 #3
Description from Publisher:
A TAIL AS OLD AS TIME… Addison Turner has scripted a perfect future for herself, complete with a fairytale ending. She will become the name in doggie fashion design and live happily ever after with the husband of her dreams—and her dachshund, Princess, by her side. Just when her plan is on track and she’s gaining recognition at the local dog show, Addison is hit with some Oscar-worthy drama. A group of prize-winning show dogs are stolen from under her nose, and she’s stuck asking for help from Felix Vaughn, an infuriatingly hot bartender who is the exact opposite of Prince Charming. When more dogs go missing—and Felix becomes a suspect—the two team up to clear their names. Although Felix and Addison fight like cats and dogs, there’s an undeniable spark between them. And as the trail to the missing dogs heats up, so does their red-hot chemistry. Can Addison be persuaded to throw away her script to find an ending that just might be better than she ever expected?
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
I seriously loved every minute of this and was sad for it to end!! Addison is a dog groomer - sorry, stylist - who is trying to expand her company and introduce her fashion line of clothing for dogs. She is also on the hunt for Mr. Right. While at an event for show dogs, she thinks she meets him and everything is going well for her until most of the dogs who were supposed to be showing a preview of her line disappear. There are two suspects - her, and the obnoxious but super sexy bartender, Felix (who isn't Mr. Right because he is too much Addison type). She pretty much makes him help her figure out who stole the dogs, and it's quite the adventure! The mystery of this was good, though I had an inkling well before the reveal (I still second guessed though, so it was still fun!). The adventure and then suspense was seriously great and had me on the edge of my seat and staying up much too late because I had to know what happened. And oh the romance! I loved the scorching-hot chemistry Addison amd Felix had but also the depth of their relationship and how they supported one another. Their banter had me laughing and really rooting for the two of them to work it out. I really enjoyed the lack of serious drama from their past since there was plenty in their present, and it kept things focused on the present. Addison's resistance to the burning attraction between her and Felix, and how wrong she had things added a great layer to this too. Really, I have to say it again: I loved Felix and the reasons he is on my list of awesome book boyfriends now just became more and more as the book went on. I couldn't help but see him as Robert Downey, Jr., which is my ideal hero. Cocky and funny, yet vulnerable. And the dogs! So cute! As a huge dog lover who considers her little dog part of the family, I thought every doggy aspect was perfect. So, yes, this was fantastic and I highly recommend it!!
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author: Casey Griffin
Casey Griffin can often be found at comic conventions on her days off from her day job, driving 400 ton dump trucks in Northern Alberta, Canada. As a jack of all trades with a resume boasting registered nurse, English teacher, and photographer, books are her true passion. Casey is a 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel finalist, and is currently busy writing every moment she can.

REVIEW: "A Long Walk Home" by Piper Landen (Romantic Comedy)

A LONG WALK HOME by Piper Landen
	Publisher: Patchwork Press Genre: Romantic Comedy, Chick Lit Publication Date: December 27th 2016 Series: Happawly Ever After Romance, #1 Standalone: Yes
Categories:
Closed door romance, Animals (Dogs), Nice Guy
Description from Publisher:
It’s going to take more than a little luck and a lost dog to bring two lost souls together. When a crooked-eared dog with a big heart and no owner to be found sprinted across Casey’s path, she had no way of knowing just how much her life would change. After agreeing to temporarily foster the lost mutt, she finds a new purpose in working with a local rescue—despite having no idea how to take care of a dog. She can barely take care of herself. A lost dog isn't the only chance encounter Casey will have at her local park. Charlie may have known a lot more about dogs than Casey, but it was his green eyes and relentless smile that first drew her to him. But, as the two of them connect and sparks fly, Charlie’s past comes back for him. They will both have to decide whether to face their secrets or let their pasts hold them back from finding happiness together.
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
This was sweet. I really identified with Casey from thr beginning wigh her social awkwardness and introversion. And then came Baloo, who pretty much stole the show. I also really liked Charlie and what a nice guy he was, especially how unassuming he was (I am all about the beta guys *sigh*). This was a fun and thoughtful rom-com that was definitely for dog lovers. The real romance here was Baloo and his new owners. Which was very sweet. I liked all of the details about dog rescues and how much character growth Baloo brought on, as well as how he warmed up. Could have possibly used more development on the human relationship side, though it was a pleasant read. It reminded me of one of those Hallmark movies that gives you the warm fuzzies.
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my own.

About the Author: Piper Landen
Piper Landen is an author of adult and new adult contemporary titles focused on romance and friendship. She hails from somewhere that’s always either way too hot or way too cold so spends most of her time inside reading and writing, while cuddling her dogs.

Review: "She's Got a Way" by Maggie McGinnis (Chick Lit, Womens Fiction, Romantic Comedy)

She's Got a Way by Maggie McGinnis
	Publisher: St. Martin's Press Genre: Chick Lit, Womens Fiction, Romantic Comedy Publication Date: August 30, 2016 Series: Echo Lake (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher:
LOVE WILL FIND A WAY Gabriela O’Brien is devoted to the girls at Briarwood Academy—even when their bad behavior earns them an entire summer at a remote campground in Echo Lake, Vermont. When the headmaster assigns Gabi to be their chaperone, how can she refuse? A long, hot summer with neither indoor plumbing nor wireless access might be just what she needs to get her own life in order…right? Before Briarwood took over Camp Echo, Luke Magellan spent years there helping troubled boys. When four spoiled rich girls and their seemingly uptight den mother show up for the summer, it’s hard to hide his amusement as he watches them tackle the great outdoors. But it’s even tougher to resist the passion he sees in Gabi — especially when he learns about her past, and sees how much she cares about her students. Is this destined to be just a grownup version of a summer-camp romance—or can they find enough in common to build a love for all seasons?
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
So, this is sort of silly to say, and very meta, but the rom-com feel of this was so great! It had "awesome chick movie" all over it. It started out a little slowly, but, before you know it, it sucks you in. The setting of a camp in the middle of nowhere Vermont is great and it was so well-described that I feel like I just spent a few weeks at Camp Echo. Complete with a tent, dining hall, and ice-cold lake. Not to mention, racoons, bears, and a couple of adorable fluffs (of thr dog variety). The characters are as rich as the setting, with a "housemother", Gabi, who is a bit lost, over-analyzes things too much, is a fish out of water not-so-rich girl, and very likable. She learns and grows as much as the 4 boarding schoolgirls she brings with her. And those girls, and the way they bond and build character, definitely grow and change from beginning to end. Then, there is handyman Luke. I loved his character the most. He was so well-adjusted, despite his rough past (which only sort of haunts him). I loved his humor, and the way that he was able to help all of the Briarwood girls. His style of help was exactly what you would hope for with someone in a role like his. One thing I will say, though, is that it is more Chick Lit than Romance, genre-wise. It is "closed-door" romance with a little tension, but not much in the steam department. This has more depth than a typical Rom-Com, along the lines of a Nicholas Sparks romance, but also keeps you laughing (fulfilling the "com" promise). It was a pleasure to read!
I received a digital ARC from the publisher for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own.

About Maggie McGinnis
Maggie McGinnis is a USA Today bestselling author and Golden Heart Finalist who lives in New England, vastly outnumbered by both children and cats. She writes sweet romances set in Montana and Vermont, and feels extremely fortunate that through her books, she gets to fall in love every single day. She's a sucker for romantic comedies, popcorn, and the perfect green pen, and if she wasn't an author, she'd totally be rocking a Nashville club in her pink cowgirl boots. It's probably good that she embraced the author thing, because her singing skills are better suited to the shower, and really? Pink cowgirl boots?