Drake O'Grady is the eldest of three brothers. He also seems the most buttoned up, least emotional, and has his life ordered.
His wife died four years ago and he doesn't know how to move forward without her.
He has his brothers and their shared veterinary practice and perhaps that is enough.
Even the family Battleaxes leave him alone.
So it is a bit surprising that of all the books in this series (so far) this is the most emotional!

Zoe was a wild child in school. A risk taker, daredevil, who could make anyone smile.
Raised by a single mom, when dementia took hold of her mother, Zoe is determined to take care of her and never place her in a facility. Zoe has friends and a job but all that comes second to caring for mom.

Zoe and Drakes's late wife were best friends in high school. She became an unofficial member of the O'Grady family. Perhaps she had a crush on Drake way back when, but set it aside when he began dating, later marrying, Heather. When that attraction returns, reciprocated, are they being disloyal to Heather and her memory? Who has time for romance anyhow when caring for a parent?

Full of emotional ups and downs, moments when you want each main character to act upon their true feelings, and heartbreak as well as heart warming moments, this is a book you can't put down.

This was a decent story and I somewhat enjoyed both the hero and the heroine, Zoe and Drake. And there were some cute animal cameos. However, nothing really stood out making it a great book.

I was unable to finish this book unfortunately because at this time I lost my mother and had too much going on but I liked the synopsis and thank Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Zoe Hornsby has enough on her plate. Her pet grooming business tucked inside her friends’ veterinarian clinic is busy, and all her free time outside of work is dedicated to caring for her mother’s ailing mind. Dating is certainly not on her agenda. For all she cares, the town gossips of Redwood Ridge, Oregon, can set their matchmaking sights on someone else. Because no way would she consider sexy veterinarian Drake O'Grady her perfect guy. Once upon a time, she may have harbored a little crush, but he’d only had eyes for her best friend. And the crazy attraction building between her and Drake now? Down boy, down. After Drake lost his wife to cancer, he’s finally clawed his way out of grief and beginning to feel more like a part of the human race. But he’s appalled to learn his prying family thinks he's ready to jump in the dating pool. And the woman they thrust at him couldn’t be more inappropriate. As his dead wife’s best friend, Zoe is off limits. Even if they seem to share a common sadness, she is too potent a personality to get romantically tangled with. Yet she’s making his heart beat and blood roar like he never thought it could again. And he doesn't want to just exist anymore.
The book was good. I liked both main characters as they went through the story. Both characters were well written. I enjoyed the plot. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

***This review originally appeared with RT BOOK REVIEWS***

Combining an idyllic small-town setting with deep-seated, difficult life problems has become a trademark for Moran’s Redwood Ridge series, and NEW TRICKS follows suit. Drake’s grief and Zoe’s caregiving for her declining mother set a backdrop of relatable struggle that makes the romance that much sweeter. Moran’s knack for connecting with her characters on a deep emotional level make her latest a Top Pick.

SUMMARY: Widowed young when his beautiful wife succumbed to cancer, Drake has been the town’s untouchable son. Avoiding social contact had become second nature, but he never counted on Zoe, co-worker and his late wife’s best friend, to find her way behind his defenses. And Zoe has reasons of her own for not touching. Drake is a man who deserves to be a father, and that’s a place that she just can’t go. But sometimes a crisis can break through walls, and as Zoe’s beloved mom loses more ground to dementia, something has to give.

This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. I really think this little trilogy was written just for me... Book 1: single mom. Book 2: deaf hero. Book 3: widower.
Can’t wait to read the rest! ❤️

I love Kelly's writing. The storyline and characters grabbed me, and wouldn't let go until I was done reading.

This may be my favorite of the Redwood Ridge series! I definitely had a thing for Drake from the first book. It made perfect sense to me that Zoe, his late wife's best friend, as well as a great friend of his from high school, would be his love interest in this book. Zoe has been through so much. The loss of her best friend, the declining health of her mother and her long standing feelings for Drake. She has had a lot going on!

I love the way the story brings the two together. Understandably, it is a difficult and sometimes complicated transition from friends to lovers, but it's written so well!!

The chemistry between Drake and Zoe is undeniable. It is a wonderful story!

I loved the previous book Tracking You and didn't think this series could get any better, but I was wrong. New Tricks is a wonderful romantic blend of humor, sexy sizzle, and moments that truly tug at you heart. The time was never right for Zoe when she had a crush on good friend Drake. He fell for her best friend and they were a loving couple until she passed away. A few years later, he is reluctantly ready to resume life and date again, but some people are pushing for him to date Zoe. He is now her boss and doesn't feel right about new feelings for his friend. She was there for him and helped while his wife was ill, besides she is now dealing with her ailing mother. And when things get tough for Zoe, Drake is there for her, just like she was there for him. It was very engaging when in the story they were most honest with each other through late night texting. I really rooted for these two special people who found the right moment in time to get their second chance at love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book fro NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This was a great story. There were sections that I laughed so hard I almost cried. Then there were sections were tissues were needed. This book was full of angst. I haven’t read the prior stories but I definitely will. The author created characters that are so believable that they feel like friends. You would hate to miss their stories as well. The story had dual POVs which helped me to understand Zoe so much better in regard to her Mother’s illness and her perceived destiny. The plot flowed so smoothly that the pages flew by. I highly recommend this to anyone.

If the blurb peaks your interest, the reality of reading it will exceed your expectations. "New Tricks" is a story of friendship, sadness, happiness, love, loss, laughter and more. These are just some of the emotions that can be felt while reading this book. The author writes in such a way, while adding tiny important details, that brings the story to life. Details of Drake and Zoe finding love in each other after their loss takes the reader on a journey of life in smalltown U.S.A. I laughed and cried while turning the pages to watch Drake and Zoe get their HEA. Have the tissues ready, you may need them. I did and look forward to reading more from Kelly Moran. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for gifting me "New Tricks". My opinion is my own. This is mine. 5 Stars!

Zoe's home relationship with her mother with dementia was so sad. It hurt to watch her hide it and deny it. I was so happy to see Drake stepping in to protect her and support her. I enjoyed watching them find their way to each other.

4.5 Heartwarming Stars

New Tricks by Kelly Moran is a beautifully written, heartwarming friends to lovers romance and I loved it.
This was one of those books once you start reading you can't put down.
The plot is well done, the pacing spot on and the characters were likable, easily relatable and I loved them together.

Watching Drake and Zoe's relationship move from best friends to lovers was entertaining and also painful.
Zoe had so much going on in her life she was scared of opening her heart to Drake.
What if things didn't turn out, could she risk losing her best friend?
After losing his wife Drake knows first hand there are no guarantees in life, we should follow our hearts, live for the now and enjoy every moment with our loved ones.

I admired Drake for his strength, his support and his unconditional love for Zoe and everything she was going through.
Getting to their happily ever after wasn't a smooth road, but the journey was well worth it.

Each book in the Redwood series has been entertaining, heartwarming and a joy to read and I highly recommend them all.

*Get your copy of New Tricks now*
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*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.*

Drake O'Grady has only ever seen Zoe Hornsby as a good friend, but now four years later since the love of his life died, he's ready to move on. However, the only woman he wants is the one woman determined to resist him. Yet, Drake is not willing to give up on proving to Zoe that they belong together, despite her reasons for keeping her distance. Will Drake be able to win Zoe's heart, or are her reasons for not giving them a chance at forever after valid?

Ms. Moran has delivered two must reads in the first two books of this series, and this story is another incredibly-penned, utterly captivating story, which was more emotional than the first two and had me absolutely charmed by the main characters, as a forever relationship wasn't easy for Zoe to believe she could have with Drake since the hero's late wife was Zoe's best friend. The way this story started had me sympathizing with the heroine, as her ill mother is getting harder to deal with and without the support her friends desperately want to offer her but she won't take, things are becoming rather exhausting for her. Yet, she's determined and stubborn to be there for her mother, just as her mother was there for her when she was younger.

As for the dialogue, it was absolutely riveting and an enthralling combination of intense moments and teasing banter that had me enjoying how far the hero was willing to go to win Zoe over. No way would he give up no matter how much the heroine tried to push him away and keep their relationship as friends. Moreover, the heroine was resilient, brave and I liked how determined she was to help her mother, even though it was heartbreaking for Zoe in dealing with her mother's illness and wondering if letting go of her responsibilities is the right thing to do. I also liked how she did her best to honor her friendship with Drake's late wife by trying to stay just friends with the hero, but in the end it proved impossible.

While the hero, he's been through so much because he loved his wife and it hasn't been easy for him to get over her loss. Moving on was the last thing he wanted to do a while ago, but now he's ready and there's no-one more right for him than Zoe. Yet, I liked how determined the hero was to move on and that he was willing to do whatever it takes to prove to Zoe that they're made for each other. However, what I liked most of all about the relationship between the hero and heroine is the challenge Zoe provided for Drake. She's so stubborn in doing things alone and I liked that the hero proved he was there for her through thick and thin, especially with what she goes through with her mother. Will Zoe do the right thing for her and her mother?

Overall, Ms. Moran has penned another remarkable read for this series where the chemistry between this couple was off-the-charts; the romance heart-warming and full of passion; and the ending had me absolutely charmed by Zoe's wonderful news and what Drake does to show Zoe how much he loves her and how much he wants her in his life. Certainly, she's the one for him. I would recommend New Tricks by Kelly Moran, if you enjoy the friends to lovers trope, second chance romances or books by authors Mackenzie Crowne, Sharla Lovelace, Marina Adair and Victoria James.

NEW TRICKS was absolutely adorable!!! I was looking for a sweet romance for the summer and this was exactly what I was hoping for!

I loved both Zoe and Drake! She was fierce, feisty, and opinionated...and had some amazing one-liners, and Drake was a bit broody (which I have to admit I always love haha), and he was also extremely supportive, thoughtful and super sexy. I have to admit that going into this story I was expecting a sweet romance, maybe with a bit of sex, but NEW TRICKS actually ended up being quite steamy—I definitely didn't mind that though, but definitely don't go into this one thinking it'll be a clean romance. ;)

I loved the story and the romance, too. I always love a good friends-to-lovers romance, and this one was super well done!! Drake and Zoe's relationship was amazing right from the start. They were super supportive of one another, and had a really strong past. I loved it even more when their romance started though. They had some serious chemistry!

If you know me, it should also come as no surprise that I'm a sucker for dogs...in real life and in books, so I loved that Drake had two of them and that he happened to be a vet! I definitely have to go back and read the first two books in this series too because I really want to see how Cade and Avery's, and Flynn and Gabby's stories unfolded! Dogs, sweet romances, great secondary characters, and fantastic writing too...I'm sold and super excited that I have two more books to go back and read now!

Overall, I loved NEW TRICKS!! I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who likes sweet, sexy friends-to-lovers romances!

This is Book #3 in the Redwood Ridge series.  I have read Book #2 in this series and I want to go back to read Book #1.  I love books with the hero or heroine being a veterinarian.  I love that it is about dogs.  I try to read a book or 2 every few months in honor of our older husky, Zeus, we lost days before Christmas.

If your best friend died and you have this attraction for her husband, what would you do?  You all were good friends.  Grew up together.  This was an emotional read.  Drake lost his wife to cancer.  How is he suppose to move on?  Zoe has always been there for him.  I loved that Heather was in this book, too, for both Drake and Zoe.  Heather was very much loved by both of these people.  It warmed my heart how Zoe kept her memory alive even though she wanted a future with Drake.


☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa

There is no story line more poignant or more touching for me than when a person loses their loved one to death and finds the courage to love again. It’s difficult to believe that you’ll ever find happiness or love again when your world has been turned upside down. Drake knows that feeling well. And while the local matchmakers of his small town might believe they have just the right woman in mind… he isn’t so sure about that at all. Zoe is a lovely woman, someone that any man would be proud to have at his side. Yet, she was also his deceased wife’s best friend. There would always be another woman’s memory there with them. It wasn’t his intention to get caught up in Zoe’s charms. But… wasn’t the heart big enough to hold two loves? His attraction is saying yes. Now it’s time to see if Zoe is ready to say yes as well.

Zoe has so much going on in her life. Sure, she’s attracted to Drake, she’d crushed on him long before he married her best friend. But now wasn’t a time that she could take a chance on losing the friendship that she counted on to a possible romance that might lead them nowhere. Her mother’s needs must come first. If only she could convince her heart that taking the risk was worth what she might lose.

I enjoyed New Tricks. I understood both sides, especially Zoe’s hesitation. Yes, I wish she’d had more faith in them both, but I “got” her. Drake I adored. His bravery in moving forward, overcoming Zoe’s hesitation showed his own inner strengths. I’d recommend New Tricks to any Romance reader. Likable couple, some issues to overcome, quirky bits and pieces and secondary characters that make the whole thing work so well. I’m definitely looking forward to more from this series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Very enjoyable read that had likeable and funny characters. I would recommend this book.

My Rating:

4.5 Steamy and Amusing Stars

Favorite Quotes:

And you call yourself my friend. Get out of my house. And don’t come back without cupcakes or tequila.

Zoe was dangerously close to hyperventilating. Her lungs had shrunken to prunes and her throat was tighter than Spanx.

He was man enough to admit he couldn’t handle her. With a passing glance, she had the ability to make a guy weep, beg for mercy, eat out of the palm of her hand, lose all thought process, shrivel his goods, and have him believe he wanted all of it.

I’ve talked to animals the same way all my life. Identical to how I converse with men— slowly and with as few syllables as possible.

Whatever you posted, just take it down. You’re like a geriatric small town version of Gossip Girl, and I’m fed up.

My dentist was like, you need a crown, and I was all like, I know, right? A sparkly one.

My Review:

I have enjoyed each of the three books in this engaging series although New Tricks was the most emotive, angsty and melancholy of the three as both main characters had experienced significant trauma and loss. I reveled in the cranky Drake coming alive again after mourning his wife for four years and was thrilled it was Zoe who caused his heart to thump. Zoe’s situation squeezed my heart, as her dilemma is a very real and relevant concern for many. I adore Kelly Moran’s vivid and expressive writing style, for example, she described Drake’s eyes as, “the shade of forbidden chocolate.” And I enjoyed the amusing banter and updates of the continuing stories of the siblings and co-workers from previous books as well as the Battleaxes who also return to meddle, gossip, and stir up small-town drama.

Who is Zoe Hornsby and what does she do for a living? Where does she live? Who is Drake O'Grady and how does Zoe know him? When Drake gets a late night call, from the pocket of Zoe's pants where her phone is at, what does he hear over the phone line? Where does he go and why? What is going on where Zoe is at? We find Zoe turning away from Drake at every opportunity, but flirting with every other man around. Why is that? What is Zoe afraid of? What logical things happen on Drake's part that cause her to rethink how she views him? Can these two get together? Can they make it work? Can Zoe's fears be put to rest? Read and find out. Loved this book!