Library Loans

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To All the Dogs I've Loved Before by Lizzie Shane
Published by Forever on November 30, 2021
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

First love gets a second chance when a mischievous dog finds a way to keep fetching the town librarian’s high school sweetheart in this charming small-town romance.

The last person librarian Elinor Rodriguez wants to spend time with is her first love, Levi Jackson, but it seems her mischievous rescue dog has other ideas. Without fail, Dory slips from the house whenever Elinor’s back is turned. And in Pine Hollow, calls about a dog herding cars on Main Street go straight to Levi. The quietly intense lawman broke Elinor’s heart once, and now she’s determined to move on, no matter how much she misses him.

As the kid who barely graduated—and still struggles to hide his dyslexia—Levi always believed that Elinor was way out of his league. Even though he ended their engagement all those years ago, Elinor still takes Levi’s breath away whenever he sees her. But with a little help from a four-legged friend, Levi and Elinor may just get the second chance they deserve.

I am trash for puppies and second chance romances and this series. After adoring one of the later books, I backtracked and have been delighted with each Pine Hollow resident's story.

This was Levi and Elinor's story. Childhood friends who became sweethearts and eventually, betrothed until Levi abruptly called off the wedding three years ago. Broken hearted, Elinor had been trying to move forward, but it's hard in a small town where she must see and mingle with her ex often.

As with every Pine Hollow book, this one was a lot of fun. I always have a great time with this friend group, and the dogs never fail to amuse and make me smile. Elinor's pup was quite the mischief maker, and I loved her to bits. This little busy-body did wonders for helping Levi and Elinor rediscover their connection.

I do think Shane did a good job trying to make me understand the whys of what happened, but I really wanted to reach through the book and smack Levi. I thought he made the wrong decision, but it seemed both he and Elinor used the time apart to work on themselves, to become their best grown up version of people who was really ready to share their life with one another. Deep in my heart, I felt how much these two belonged together. They had too much important history and shared memories to not live their lives together. Their process was long, but I think it was good that they went through this step and could build something stronger on that foundation.

Once again, I adored my visit to Pine Hollow. This was a beautiful second chance romance that really touched me and was filled with friendship, love, and some hilarious animal antics.

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Betrothal or Breakaway by Leah Brunner
Published by LBP LLC on April 4, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

My best friend—and unrequited love—has a hole in her heart. Literally and figuratively.

First, Amber’s fiancé left her when she told him she was pregnant, and then her daughter's birth left her with complications from a heart defect she didn’t realize she had.

I’m devastated.

Of course I offer to pay for her surgery, but Amber (stubborn woman that she is) insists on wanting to pay me back, which I don't understand. As captain of an NHL team, I have plenty of spare cash, and I’m more than happy to help. I want to help.

So I come up with a plan.

I’ll marry Amber, my health insurance will cover her surgery, I’ll help with the baby, and the gold band on my finger will get my parents—who seem to think I'm incapable of love—off my back.

It's a win-win for both of us.

Two years of platonically wedded bliss before we amicably go our separate ways, and remain best friends, as always.

Only, how am I supposed to let Amber go when I’m not only in love with her, but also with her baby girl… who now feels like my own.

And I might have to let her go sooner than I ever wanted to.

Betrothal or Breakaway is a dual POV, fade-to-black romance with mild langauge. This book is light-hearted, but contains themes of minor heart surgery, broken engagement, and difficult parental relationships.

I have really been enjoying this series, and I think this is my favorite book yet.

Friends-to-lovers is my most favorite trope, and oh! the history these two shared. They became friends as children and were such important parts of each others lives. The flashbacks to some of their friendship/relationship milestones were precious.

You know what else was precious? FORD! This man endeared himself to me in many ways. He was so gentle, sweet, and kind. He was a good captain, a great brother, and an incredible friend. But what really broke me were all the scenes he shared with Amber's daughter. The gentle giant in him emerged every time that baby was put in his arms. Cue swoons. 

When they were younger, Amber was Ford's champion, but he was essential in her life as well. Amber's father was out of the picture and her mother was fairly neglectful. It was Ford and his family that provided a loving place for her to grow, and they were there for her again when she needed support. The way they embraced her as their own and automatically assumed the role as aunt, grandmother, and in-law was beautiful.

The Eagles added some fun to the mix as well. I am always down for the bromance, and there was this one scene where they were all taking turns caring for the baby that had me smiling from ear to ear. Yeah, activate the *heart eyes*.

This was another great addition to this series, and I really hope Ford's sister gets her story. It seems that one was being set up, and I am excited about the pairing. Fingers crossed! 

Second-chance or Friends-to-more Romance?
Let us know in the comments!