Review by Booklist Review
Businessman Craig Williams is in need of rescue himself when he turns up at a no-kill animal shelter to surrender his daughter Sophie's new puppy. Acting director Megan Anderson is overwhelmed and sees Craig as a typical jerk who gets rid of a puppy rather than trying to train him. When a chastened Craig returns with Sophie the next day to reclaim the dog, the puppy has already been adopted. But Sophie decides to become a junior volunteer, opening the door to future meet-ups between Meg and Craig. The death of one of Craig's sons resulted in the end of his marriage a couple of years ago, and the whole family is still grieving. Meg and Craig's relationship builds slowly, giving her a chance to develop strong relationships with Sophie and her surviving brother, Reese. Pet lovers will adore all the animals introduced in Burns' sweet romance, the opening title in her Rescue Me series.--Quillen, C. L. Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Burns's auspicious debut contemporary is a warm cuddly tale full of dogs, cats, kids, and genuinely likable adults. From the moment they lay eyes on one another, Megan Anderson and Craig Williams rub each other the wrong way. She manages a St. Louis no-kill animal shelter and he's brought in his daughter's chocolate Lab pup to surrender it for adoption. Putting instant attraction aside, Megan assumes he's a typical "dog dumper," the type who buys a pet as a gift but is ready to get rid of the critter as soon as it pees on the carpet. Craig sees her as a judgmental do-gooder unable to accept that sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. The friction serves to heat up a relationship that neither is ready to handle. Yet his daughter, the animals, and a well-constructed plot all contrive to push Craig and Megan together. This heartstring-tugger is certain to win fans who are yearning for a wholesome summertime read. Agent: Jessica Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Agency. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A no-kill animal shelter in St. Louis is the setting for a clash between its spunky, bighearted director and a grieving businessman who needs rescue himself.In Burns' debut contemporary romance, Craig Williams is a wealthy businessman father who has lost one of his young children and, subsequently, his marriage. He's worried for the emotional well-being of his two remaining children but can't seem to escape his own numbness and isolation. When he meets Megan Anderson, acting director of a St. Louis no-kill shelter, sparks fly, but not necessarily in a good way. Craig is reluctantly surrendering a Christmas puppy which was just too much to handle. Megan, a bit overwhelmed with the unexpected directorship and having a judgmental streak she tries to contain, at first writes him off as an arrogant jerk. But when Craig makes a donation to the underfunded shelter, they get to know one another, and their mutual attraction grows. Megan and Craig navigate the children, the ex-wife, his recovery from trauma, and her reluctance to open her heart to a guy who seems well out of her league. Burns doesn't demonize the ex-wife, although the genre probably doesn't need yet another contrast between the down-to-earth, messy ponytailed young woman and her cool, mature, and overly polished rival. Megan is passive and awkwardly insecure throughout. Craig is defined too much by trauma, and his children are distractingly mature for their ages. While the couple's sexual appeal to one another is emphasized, the intimate scenes are rote, and Craig seems interested mostly in Megan's ability to mother his children. An appealing setup and plot can't overcome dull characterization and lack of sizzle. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
