GRR Reviews Lawfully Brave by Jo Grafford

Sergeant Luke and his K-9 Hellion are on their way home for leave when he heard the amber alert. The town needs volunteers to find a missing boy. It also happens that a woman next to him, Coco, is also responding to the same crisis. She's a veterinarian and started her own volunteer K9 search and rescue team... except her team has never done a real search and rescue before. Luke and Hellion are experienced, and they are definitely joining the search, if only to keep Coco out of trouble... But the more they search, the more questionable circumstances they find. Who is the deputy's cousin? Is there a drug cartel connection? Will they find the boy alive?

Good adventure and twists in romantic suspense, good bonding experience. There is a character arc for Coco, but didn't feel it much. 4/5

GRR Reviews Forgotten Reins by Susan Lower

Sarah opened her equine rescue op with her best friend and her best friend's brother, Josh. But her inheritance isn't quite enough to pay the bills esp. with all the upkeep like fence posts and whatnot. But when Sarah went to a horse auction and saw a horse that can barely move, she can't walk away, and she ended up buying her for $7, even though the mare was given a minimal chance of survival. Next day, the vet arrived, and she was stunned to find Michael Wolfe, who bought the property next door, as the new vet. What she can't tell him is she's a single mom, and her son's daddy is Michael. They had that one night, and then she was sent packing... What had happened that night... and why did Michael never searched for her? How can she tell him now?

Somehow, the story just feels very... clumsy. The narrative flow was OFTEN interrupted by Sarah suddenly falling into a day-dream recalling events from the past. And Michael is basically completely clueless, never once suspecting that someone had "interfered" with his life, then and now. And Sarah is still the meek girl, even at 25 and a mother, easily intimidated. 3/5

GRR Reviews Love Comes for the Army Ranger by Savannah Adams

Chase returned to the US minus a leg, but also with his service dog, medically retired like him. He went back to his hometown to figure out his future. When the dog injured a paw, the only veterinarian around is his high school crush, Lori, who left him... // Lori felt relief about the death of her philandering husband... and shock upon seeing Chas again. Chase wanted a second chance with Lori, but Lori wasn't about to try again, even with Chase. They settle into a friendship... Until a secret from Lori's married past threatens to tear them apart...


The veteran issues are handled nicely, just not too sure about the relationship itself or the darkest hour. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Problem with Pugs by A G Henley

Amelia's boyfriend Tim left for Bali more than three months ago, leaving his pug Doug behind for her to care, and only video calls once a week. Doug's behavior is getting worse and worse. The dog ate her underwear and destroys furniture. After cornering the building manager in a room, and biting Amelia's new guy (who sent her the medical bill) Amelia had to find help fast, which means the handsome mobile veterinarian Travis. It's clear Doug has separation issues, and maybe Amelia does too. The dog can be trained out of it. But what about Amelia?

A bit of a rom-com, and Doug is kinda funny. But the story is obviously about Amelia, and can she actually let go of Tim?  It's sweet, but Travis is a bit too morose, at least by last half, to be a comedy. 4/5

GRR Reviews Mommy Loves the Doggy Doctor by Deb Kastner

Ashley became a widow when her husband and her daughter had an ATV accident. Her daughter Gweny was left wheelchair-bound for life. But that didn't stop them from bringing happiness to other people's lives, esp. nursing home visits with fresh cookies. And that's when they ran into the Luke and Grandma Bryant, who brought a whole litter of Dalmatian puppies to cheer up Luke's dad (dementia) and the rest of the nursing home. Luke is a bachelor veterinarian, and very shy, preferring animals to people. But when Grandma Bryant, seeing that Gweny has a connection to Pudgie, one of the Dalmatian puppies, offered the pup to her. And Ashley can't refuse anything that makes Gweny happy. That also brought the families closer, esp. when Pudgie needed some medical help... And Gweny wanted to put her mom and the handsome vet Luke together... With a little help from Grandma Bryant, of course.

Sweet, good use of the dog, and even training the dog to be a service dog for the disabled. Sweet shy love. The kind I like. No sex. 5/5

GRR Reviews Keeping Cole for Christmas by Tuesday Embers

Abigail justed wanted a nice and quiet Christmas. Her veterinarian job is already tough enough... She has no time for frivolities... Even her fiancee Pierce hadn't seen inside her condo, as it's a somewhat long-distance relationship. Heck, Pierce won't even attend her family Christmas dinner. When her best childhood friend, and her brother's best friend Cole came back to town, she knew this Christmas will not be like any other. Abigail also wanted to save RT5, a three-legged cat that hadn't been adopted yet, but she knew she's too busy to have a pet. When Cole decided he wanted to be the person in Abigail's life, what will Abigail do? And what can Cole do to change her mind?

Enjoyed the cat, even though it's more of a symbol, as the cat itself didn't show much personality. Pierce is basically a placeholder, someone Abigail didn't have to let in very far into her life, as she won't butt into his. So why get engaged? Was it just... expected? 4/5

GRR Reviews Veterinarian's date with a Billionaire by Amelia Addler

Juliet needs to save her veterinarian clinic serving low-income neighborhoods, and she needed to make a feel-good video featuring her former patients and their pet parents. She wasn't sure what to think when she found her junker died, and her rich but douche ex James came to her rescue. // James knew he was a douche to Juliet back in college, and he's here to make amends. Having a chance to rescue her and chauffeur her around is perfect. It also gave him a chance to get away from his over-demanding father. So they go on this road trip, take plenty of footage, and living together. And they did rekindle their relationship. But this is just temporary, right? What happens after the contest is over, whether she wins or not?

Not feeling much about this one. It's pretty obvious, from the way plot goes, that Juliet will NOT win, and this will also serve as the darkest hour, and James will get the blame. And the grand gesture will be James somehow get Juliet to forgive him. The bonding and the cute animals are nice, but that doesn't change the fact that the plotting feels flat. 3/5

GRR Reviews Buck Wild by Lauren Landish

Bull rider James is the wanderer of the family, spending most of his time on the road on the back of a bull, living for the excitement 8 seconds at a time. He never saw himself settling down, unlike his ranch brother, and his horse breeder brother. That is, until he ran into Sophie, veterinarian-in-training. // Sophie was accidentally enrolled in animal science one semester and was hooked. Now she's training as a veterinarian and getting some practical experience as a vet's assistant in a small town. Meeting the three brothers are nice, as they are very handsome cowboys. And James... well, he's rude, but she has plenty of sass to give. And it'd be the perfect summer fling... she's going back to school, and he's going back to the bullriding circuit... But when it comes time to part, can either give up what they have?

Good polish, lots of good family action. Each can provide what they other crave, if they can admit to themselves what they're craving. No competing lovers, no danger, just two people who THOUGHT they knew what they wanted, then learned there is so much more to life... and love. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Saving the Sheriff by Kadie Scott

Cash, the local sheriff, lost his wife Georgia to an auto accident. But he can never reveal to his family that she left him for another man on the day of the accident. He can only hope to raise his daughter right. Until Georgia's best friend Holly came back to town as the large animal veterinarian...  // Holly left La Colina TX with regrets. She always had a thing for Cash... Until Georgia got pregnant with Cash's baby... and they got married. She left town to get away from the pain of betrayal and dreams lost. But now that she's back in town, she knew secrets that can tear Cash's family apart... and because of that, she can never go after Cash... even though he's now a single dad. But they can't move forward if they don't resolve their past...

Okay, for a romance, the mood is mostly... morose and angst-y. Holly was keeping a LOT of secrets, and caught between a lot of conflicting loyalties, and that obviously affects her as some of those secrets had to do with Cash and his daughter. This book is more about Holly than Cash. The rest of the Hill family is nice. It's just that sheriff didn't do a lot of... being the sheriff. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Conflicted Billionaire by Sharon Sue Thorn

Jenny is a small-town Kansas veterinarian who wanted simple love, but it's hard to do in a small town full of retirees. After meeting too many douchebags, she met Jeff online, and he seems perfect. Except he lives on the opposite coast. // Owen is a billionaire who keeps finding golddiggers as dates. He joined a dating site... Using his best friend Jeff's name and photo. Then he made a connection with Jenny thousand miles away. They had talked online for months. But now, Owen is torn. If he wanted to meet her, he had to admit he used his best friend's photo and lied. Yet he had to meet her... So he flew into her town, and met her in person, but.. he can't reveal himself just yet. And while Jenny felt an attraction to him, she wanted to know who Jeff is... Then the REAL Jeff (and his wife) came to town to find Owen... just in time for Jenny to show up... OMG!

It's not really a comedy, but more of a tragi-comedy.  Yes, Jenny will EVENTUALLY figure out Owen is a nice guy. But both are just... a bit too stubborn? And he's a bit too TSTL. 4/5

GRR Reviews Possessive Veterinarian by Flora Ferrari

Delaney always had a thing for her father's best friend Donovan, a much older man, and a hot veterinarian. When she rescued three puppies she needs to find Donovan, and there, she found her feelings reciprocated...

Really, that's about it. Darkest hour wasn't even between Delaney and Donovan, but between Donovan and her father. And it pretty much resolved itself after a hard talk. I also have problem with some of the language and analogies used, which just feels... crude. The M/F dialog just doesn't feel natural.  2/5

GRR Taking What is Mine by Abby Brooks

Chet is the oldest of the Wilde boys in a small Colorado town. Despite their name, they are well-respected ranchers. Chet had to summon the local vet when one of the cow's is having trouble birthing, and it turns out the vet had died a while back and the replacement was a relatively young female by the name of Christy, who is competent... and not available. // Christy did not have much experience with men... Her mother had to leave with her when her father gotten abusive. Christy's current boyfriend was jealous and possessive, and "volunteered" to help her move across the country when her uncle left her this homestead in small Colorado town. She knew his BF is controlling, but she thought she was "managing" it. When his controlling behavior spilled into the public, Chet was right there to teach him some manners. But can she tell the difference between protective and controlling? Can she ever let down her guard to let Chet love her?

Okay, but not extra-ordinary. There's one thing that's not explained... What's that jealous BF doing in Colorado? Doesn't he have a job or whatever? That he can take a couple months off to follow his GF just because he's jealous? And NONE of her previous out-calls had triggered his possessive behavior?  (She's in town for a couple months)  Eh... Christy definitely had a character arc, but Chet, not so much. Sure, Chet had an evil ex who spent all his money, but that's trope.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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GRR Reviews Renegade Ridge by Arabella Steedly

Jake's prized barrel racing mare was injured, and he needs a vet stat! He got the new vet in town, Vanessa Hart... and he's not happy, but for his mare, he'll do anything... Including kissing up to Vanessa... but he has a troubled past...  And he owes the local loan shark quite a bit of money... And he had to do favors (as a bill collector) to delay the payments. // Vanessa had to get away from the big cities when it became too... dangerous to stay. Falling for a cowboy was not a part of the plan, but she can definitely use a protector... But a protector who also roughs people up?

Seems there were a couple unresolved plot points, which marred what's otherwise a competent book.

Category: Contemporary / Western / Romantic suspense

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Charming as Puck by Pippa Grant

Nick's not a bad guy, it's just that he lives for two things... hockey, and pranks (on his fellow players), leaving Kami, his "friend with benefits", a distant third. It sure didn't help when Nick got pranked end ended up with a calf in his condo, and Kami, being a veterinarian, is obviously called in to help. Except this prank lead to Nick's eviction and a spot on the "never rent to" blacklist. Kami finally had enough when Nick forgot her birthday. Kami was always the nice girl, but she's done being a pushover. Now Nick has to be friends... WITHOUT benefits, because Kami's best friend is his own little sister. But he had to win her back somehow, even as she had to go on some horrible blind dates...

There are a lot of characters, and a lot of comedic situations that may result in laugh-cry situations, yet none of the situations are mean (well, the calf... can be a bit problematic). It's more like brotherly or sisterly teasing, with a bit of an edge. And it's pretty darn hilarious, but somehow, the plot felt it went a couple different directions, as not all the plot is on the main couple. Still, it's good.

Category: Contemporary / Sports

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Home at Last by Mary Jane Morgan

Ashley left her hometown, taking her secret with her, twelve years ago. Now she's back, having accepted her brother's offer of a job as his new dude ranch's public relations director. However, she did not count on running into Hank, the town vet and equine therapist of the ranch... AND the reason she left town. // Hank lost his son and did not really want to share a secret hot spring that he shared with his son... He had seen his son's spirit around that spring. Ashley's return unsettled him and thrilled him for he never understood why she just left. And they got back together. But when Ashley was forced to reveal that secret, will Hank be pleased... or angry?

While the secret child plot point was pretty trope, the slightly supernatural bit and the equine bits raised it above mediocre.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Rodeo Man (Cameron Cowboys) by Margaret Watson

Rodeo Star Grady had no regrets except leaving his woman, Becca Johnson behind, esp. when she claimed there's someone else. Nine years later, when Grady was forced to retire due to a horrible injury, he had no direction in life, until a chance came up and he was able to buy a ranch in Cameron Utah. Imagine his surprise when he showed up on the ranch and found that the local vet assigned to the ranch is none other than Becca. // Becca knew she can't get close to Grady ever again... because Becca had lied. There has never been someone else... Becca's daughter is fathered by Grady, and she won't allow anyone to hurt her daughter. However, someone is stalking Becca and Grady... Mysterious ailments and sabotage plagued the ranch and its animals, and there's a stalker near Becca... Can Grady convince Becca to take a chance with her body and her heart again?

Too bad Grady didn't solve the stalker problem himself (Becca had to call in the sheriff) but that part of the problem was nicely done, and I can see no holes in the logic or plot. The dance between the two, the reluctance acceptance, i.e., "when/how do I tell him/her" was pretty good if a bit long-winded. Overall, still good.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: Ex-Rodeo Star found the woman who betrayed him is now his veterinarian, and she gave birth to a daughter years ago. So who is sabotaging the ranch?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews How to Unbreak A Heart by Jennie Marts

Trip Turner walked out twelve years ago on his life and his love and landed in juvenile detention. Now he's back in Montana, at the dude ranch for wayward teens to help his mentor John Stone, run the ranch, but it's also a bitter reunion, but his love, Bre Wilson, is there... // Bre had moved on after Trip left her. She finished vet school and got her new practice in town, she just never expected to see Trip again. But she's not going anywhere, and Trip is only staying for a few weeks. Now she just has to survive the next two weeks without kissing... or killing Trip. // Trip let Bre go once, but that's a mistake he'll never commit again. Now he just has to figure out how to unbreak her heart...

Eh, not feeling too much here. At least it's short, but the characters seem a bit cliche, and much of intro was the "horse has a breech birth and all hands on deck" scenario, which was used more than a few times that I've read.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Man returned to find his ex is now the facilities vet, and they are not over each other by a long shot... But he's not staying... right?

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Veterinarian's Vacation (River's End) by Pamela M. Kelley

Jess is about to graduate from vet school when Jake, her cousin Wade's best friend, is back in tow for a 2-week vacation, and Wade put him in the cottage next to hers. Jess had a crush on Jake way back when, and Jake had refused to kiss her (but she's 13 at the time). She's grown up, and he's more attractive than ever. Then he dropped the bombshell... He's buying the old vet's place, so he's now technically her boss as she's interning there. That's ANOTHER reason not to have unrequited love on her boss... // Jake came back to town to put down roots, even though he can't stand the snobby step-mom (he likes his dad just fine). Jess is all grown up now, and he can't take advantage of her... However, what if she want him to?

Small town + hot for boss romance with a bit of fling to a thing and unrequited love way back when. Still, this is more like infatuation and requires little more than "change of heart" to resolve.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Can vet school intern fall for her new boss, who also happens to be her old crush?

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews A Teaspoon of Trouble (The Bachelor Bake-off) by Shirley Jump

A Teaspoon of Trouble is a reunion story that is angst-y but not too much so.

Carolyn is a sous chef with a chance to be head chef in a trendy NYC restaurant. She left her hometown of Marietta MT years ago, after realizing her then-boyfriend Matthew will never leave. But when she found that her sister and her husband were killed in a tragic car accident, and Carolyn was left in the care of the 4-year-old niece Emma, she had to take a sabbatical to take care of the family emergency. Which also brought her back to Matt, now the town veterinarian, even more handsome... // Matt is a very eligible bachelor, but he's always had a thing for Carolyn, his high school sweetheart. It was a dream that she came through the door with a pooch in distress from unfamiliar food and travel... And it just happens that he needs some serious help to participate in the town's Bachelor Bake-off to raise money for the paramedic that was killed recently. So they made a deal... Carolyn will teach Matthew about baking, and Matthew will help Carolyn teach the dog some obedience lessons. In between, they have to help poor little Emma to grief and accept the circumstances... And there's the problem of Carolyn's job in New York... and why she left in the first place...

Angst-y without TOO much so. Carolyn had a sudden family and it was totally overwhelming, both Emma and the dog. Matt was like the PERFECT partner, and it was pretty obvious how she'd choose at the end after examining her reasons. I personally think her reasoning can be explained a little better though.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Can a sous chef who suddenly inherited a family accepts the help of the local veterinarian with her dog? Will she leave?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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