Review by Booklist Review
ldquo;Finders keepers, losers weepers." This is the legal tactic Sloan Monroe initially plans on using when she rescues Tucker, a "totes adorbs" (totally adorable) mutt, after he jumps into her car and immediately reverses her downward-spiraling emotional trajectory. After all, Sloan did spend nearly two weeks trying to contact Tucker's owner, musician Jason Larsen, to no avail; so, his loss is Sloan's gain. Even when it turns out that Jason does have a valid reason for not immediately replying to Sloan's increasingly tetchy messages, that doesn't mean Sloan is willing to relinquish Tucker. At least not until Jason first proves to Sloan that he truly does love this irresistible dog. After wowing readers with her superb debut, The Friend Zone (2019), Jimenez proves she is no one-hit literary wonder with this powerfully life-affirming love story that walks the line between romantic heartbreak and hope with great finesse, while also delivering exceptional character development, incendiary sexual tension, and polished prose infused with a deliciously acerbic and dangerously addictive sense of humor.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Revisiting the quirky cast of her debut novel The Friend Zone, Jimenez combines sentimentality, sexiness, and humor in this remarkable rom-com about finding the courage to take a second chance on love. Sloan Monroe is still grieving the death of her fiancé two years earlier when she adopts a runaway puppy named Tucker. Caring for her new pet helps Sloan heal--until Tucker's owner, Jason, finally responds to her messages. Jason is working overseas, so Sloan cares for Tucker until he gets back, with Jason texting and calling frequently to check in on his dog. After weeks of flirting over the phone, the two meet in person and Sloan discovers that Jason is really her favorite rock star, Jaxon Waters. As Sloan embraces their new romance, a demanding tour schedule makes finding stability harder than either of them thought. Sparking wit and vulnerable characters bring this story to life. Jimenez tackles deep emotions without ever losing sight of fun. Agent: Stacey Graham, Red Sofa Literary. (Apr.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
It's been two years since Sloan lost her fiancé. On her way to visit his grave, she nearly runs over a dog, and when she stops to check on him, he hops right into her car. After a quick check on his collar, and a visit to the vet to make sure he's okay, Sloan calls the number on the dog's ID tag. Every day for a week she leaves a message for this mysterious owner, even though she's getting more and more attached to the pooch. Jason has been in Australia, out of touch for weeks. When he can finally check his voicemails, he finds out that not only did his friend not take care of his dog but someone else now has him. And she's not about to just give the dog back to a possibly neglectful owner. Thus begins a series of texts, phone calls, and voicemails between Jason and Sloan. This delightfully adorable story features a heroine who is finally ready to break out of the shell of grief and an on-the-rise musician hero. VERDICT With a playlist running throughout the novel, this book will strike a chord with music-loving romance readers. A first-tier purchase for public libraries.--Amanda Toth, Lane Libs., Hamilton, OH
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two years after the tragic death of her fiance, an artist begins to heal thanks to a rock star and his dog.Sloan Monroe is on her way to the grave of her late fiance, who was killed by a drunk driver, when she nearly hits a dog who dashed into the road. When she stops to check on him, he jumps into her car through the sunroof, and when she doesn't hear from his owner after calling the number on his collar, she decides to keep him. Jason Larsen, the dog's owner, is backpacking off the grid in Australia, and when he finally gets Sloan's voicemails nearly two weeks later, he calls her and is astonished to discover that she's had Tucker, his dog, for so long; his quasi-girlfriend was supposed to be watching Tucker but it turns out she had basically abandoned him. Since he's still in Australia for a few weeks, Jason arranges for Sloan to keep Tucker, and through it all they text and talk and plant the seeds for a friendship, if not more. Sloan is slow and wary, even before she discovers that Jason is a musician on the cusp of star status. Still, she's charmed by his patience and talent, and when he returns to LA, she quickly falls in love with him, his dog, and his family. Just as they're admitting to deep feelings, he's embarking on a long musical tour and wants her with him. It's a grind, which she isn't expecting, and the relationship is at odds with his label's publicity plans, which are complicated. Plus, it keeps Sloan from pursuing her art, which she wants to explore again. Following her exceptional debut (The Friend Zone, 2019), author Jimenez has written Sloan's story with elegant, compassionate success, showcasing a romance that navigates deep grief and healing while exploring the unexpected stressors placed on a celebrity relationship. Fans of The Friend Zone will be happy to see Kristen and Josh as Sloan's main support system and will be touched by Jimenez's note in the acknowledgements about her inspiration for the book.A perfect blend of smart, heart-wrenching, and fun. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
