We Live and Breathe Books: One Old, One New

One Old, One New features two books – one old, one new, which are connected in some way. Today I am featuring two books by Lizzie Shane.

Like Cats and Dogs by Lizzie Shane
Published by Forever on November 12, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
four-half-stars

Goodreads

A small-town baker faces off against her longtime nemesis on a reality TV competition in this delightful romantic comedy.

Magda Miller’s feud with rival baker Mackenzie Newton is so old, folks in tiny Pine Hollow, Vermont forgot how it started. But Magda remembers: Ten years ago, she offered Mac her heart—instead, he ran off with her grandmother's maple cake recipe. Now, Mac traipses all over Magda’s baking territory, just like his oversized tabby keeps sneaking into her house to claim her dog’s favorite bed. So, when Magda gets the call to compete on The Great American Cake-Off, she’s thrilled to finally shine in a Mac-free zone. But when she arrives on set, her devilishly handsome nemesis is already there . . .

It turns out, Mac and Magda’s story has inspired the first ever Arch Rivals edition of Cake-Off, and of course Mac has to raise the stakes with a wager. The winner takes all—the Cake-Off title, the contested recipe, and control of the narrative. Magda is more than ready to kick Mac’s Bundt. But as they spar, on-screen and off, Mac and Magda reveal the best in each other...and the sizzling attraction fueling their rivalry. Only one of them can win, so why does it suddenly feel like they both stand to lose?

It was a dream come true! Magda had FINALLY been selected as a contestant for her favorite show, The Great American Cake-Off. Happy to escape Pine Hollow, she was shocked to find herself head-to-head with her arch nemesis, Mac. Removed from their day-to-day drama, would Mac and Magda finally put an end to their long running feud?

Though I still have two books in this series to read, the author's note made this sort of bittersweet for me as she mentioned this being the final visit to Pine Hollow. It does feel appropriate that we FINALLY find out what started the feud between Mac and Magda while also getting glimpses into where the other Pine Hollow couples are now.

This book was a bit different from the others I have read as the bulk of the story took place outside of Pine Hollow. I thought this would dampen my enjoyment as the townsfolk are something that delighted me in each book. I am glad to say Shane was able to fill that void for me. Between the colorful group of contestants and all the Cake-Off action and drama, I found myself happily flipping the pages.

I am not a big TV watcher, but I love competition shows. I greatly enjoyed all the challenges featured here and especially loved that it helped Mac and Magda find their way back to each other. There was certainly a lot of passion between them, and I wanted that funneled into love instead of animosity.

Not only was the show a great place for their friendship to be repaired as their romance blossomed, it was also a place for them to find themselves. Though being in their "bubble" was beneficial for both, it was Magda who really needed that distance from Pine Hollow. At home, people defined who she was, but away, she was able to really discovery herself.

Overall, this was another wonderful Pine Hollow book! It was a delicious rivals-to-lovers tale that was elevated with a tasty competition. Should this be the final Pine Hollow book, it was a sweet and fitting farewell.

*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER

Once Upon a Puppy by Lizzie Shane
Published by Forever on May 25, 2021
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
four-half-stars

Goodreads

Opposites attract when a straitlaced lawyer and whimsical party planner must fake-date as co-parents of a rambunctious Irish wolfhound in the second book of this im-paw-ssibly charming small-town romance series.

Connor Wyeth has a plan for everything. But when he adopts Maximus, an unruly Irish wolfhound mix, he gets more than he bargained for. If he doesn't act fast, the big dopey mutt is going to destroy his house. The only person Max ever listens to is the volunteer who used to walk him at the shelter—a perennially upbeat woman whose day job is planning princess parties for little kids. Connor couldn't ever imagine that she'd be able to tame such a beast as Max, but he's desperate enough to try anything.

Deenie Mitchell isn't looking forward to spending more time with uptight, rules-oriented Connor—no matter how attractive he is. But when her sister announces her engagement, Deenie realizes he's the perfect person to impress her type-A family. When she learns he needs a plus-one for his law firm's work events, an unlikely alliance is formed. But as they play the perfect couple, the friendship—and the feelings—that are forming start to feel all too real. Opposites may attract, but can the man with a plan for everything and the misfit who makes her own rules ever find common ground?

It was so wonderful to be back in Pine Hollow!

This time around, I got to know Connor and Deenie better. They were an interesting pairing. Connor had been raised by a single mother. They struggled, but he worked and earned scholarships for his education. He was a man with a plan. He was seeking stability, a home, wife, family, and to be partner at his firm, but his plan was derailed when his fiancee broke their engagement.

Deenie had been raised by two parents with some wealth. A life which she abandoned in order to blaze her own path. She traveled and preferred to have no roots. More or less, Deenie had the opposite goals of Connor, but they had such a wonderful connection and for some reason, were really able to understand each other.

I adored them together and especially liked seeing beneath the surface of Connor. He was actually sweetheart (I swear!), and his actions spoke volumes. I also loved being back with the Pine Hollow crew. I enjoyed their group dynamic and the all history they shared. And, you know the dogs always add an extra element of fun.

Overall, this was another fun and heartwarming trip to Pine Hollow for me, and I cannot wait to return.