Thank you for the opportunity to review - this was pleasant but not as memorable as other similar offerings.

Every Dog Has His Day by Jenn McKinlay was a good story, wonderful characters. I'm enjoying Jenn writing romance.

This book first got my attention because of its cover. Then I saw it was a single parent and small town romance and knew I had to read it. Well it didn’t disappoint! I loved everything about it and for those that like the small town romance, single parent books with some pets mixed into it, this one is for you! There was some drama that didn’t fail to make this interesting and all in all, it was a great read and you just can’t help but fall for all these characters.

ARC from Netgalley

Every Dog Has His Day is Jenn McKinlay’s final offering in the Bluff Point series. For fans, you’ll be happy to hear that the previous pairs play a prominent role in their friend, Zach’s, story. For people starting here...I think the constant appearances could be very annoying. In fact, it could have been enough to turn me off from the story entirely if I didn’t have history with these characters.
I’m just going to jump right in and say what a disappointment this was for me. The number one reason is because the first half of this book was so fabulous and fun, and then it fell so spectacularly apart. In previous installments (and even in this one,) Zach was purported to be a playboy. There was no hint of that man in this book. And as far as Jessie goes, there was zero character growth. I feel like all of her growth happened before this book, which I didn’t appreciate. That meant a lot of needless drama on Jessie and Zach’s road to happily ever after, all of which screamed contrived. Not to mention this was incredibly insta ‘she’s the one for me’ from the supposed confirmed bachelor. And the fact that he called Jessie ‘my girl’ was such a turn off for me and left a bad taste in my mouth every time he said it. I also feel like I was supposed to feel bad for Jessie, and I just didn’t. This is a woman who sat outside of a church, waiting for the groom who was leaving his bride at the altar, essentially as his ‘getaway ride, to later marry him. Did she expect he was going to be a stand up guy? He wasn’t. He was an alcoholic jerk who treated her like trash, and I can’t help but think she got exactly what she deserved after the part she played in his first attempt at marriage.

As for secondary characters, they outshone Zach and Jessie’s story in spades for me. Like I mentioned previously, I enjoyed seeing Zach’s friend group again, and I loved the way they pulled Jessie and her family right into the fold. But another gripe I have are the women, who have known Zach for years, and had a few chances to go to bat for him with Jessie, but do they do that? No, they don’t. And it made me feel bad for Zach, and I couldn’t help but wonder ‘with friends like these, who needs enemies?’ I also liked Jessie’s girls. They were given a lot of page time, but they really enhanced the story, and I never felt like they overwhelmed the plot. It’s just that Jessie and Zach’s story was so lackluster the girls stood out. Also, Mac's aunts (Mac is from the first book in this series) were a brilliant addition as always, and the extra we learn about one of them was priceless. I also liked the pets, Rufus and Chaos, but didn't care for how long it took Jessie and Zach to decide to keep them. Also, Jessie did something so terrible near the end of this book, and instead of the author having her woman up and apologize, something terrible happens that draws Zach and Jessie back together. The grovel that Zach so richly deserved never came, and it made me loathe Jessie. At the end of this book, I knew what Jessie saw in Zach, but I could never figure out exactly what it was he saw in her. And it left me feeling bad for him thinking he was such a good guy who was getting the short end of the stick. It also made me forget everything I even loved about the first half.

Not only was this particular book a huge disappointment as a series ender, but there were clearly two other stories in need of telling, and I don’t think we’re going to get them. Way too much time was spent building up tension on stories we’re never going to see, and I feel letdown. I will say that while this book was a miss for me, I enjoy this author's writing overall and want to read more from her. She has a way of writing that I feel is unique and fun, and it makes you want to be a part of the families she creates.

This review was originally posted on Books & Beauty Are My Bag.

Cute swoony reading. This was my first book by this author & I truly enjoyed it. The storyline was cute. The characters were well developed and adorable !

Jenn McKinlay (Cupcake Mysteries, Library Lover's Mysteries) branches off into a new type of series, featuring romance and lovable dogs.

A delightful, albeit sometimes corny, little romance novel. A quick read, and even though it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone novel. I haven't read any of the other books but I didn't feel like I was missing any information. The characters are solid and the town and it's people are lovable, and the animals are cute. Definitely makes me want to go back and read the series from the start. A fun read!

Every Dog Has His Day is one of those stories that hit every aspect of a perfect contemporary romance. It is humorous, witty, well written, and romantic. This is the third story in the romantic comedy Bluff Point series and is a great addition to the others and it tugged a bit on the heartstrings of this reader.

Zach Caine runs a brewery with his close friends and is a commitment-phobic bachelor. He compartmentalizes his relationships with women in certain categories and Jessie somehow doesn’t fit into any of them. Hmm. He’s drawn in to their cozy family of 3 when the girls foster kitten needs rescuing. Then a blizzard hits Bluff Point and he ends up helping them out during the power outage. Hanging with them showed him how much he liked it and how Jessie is looking very attractive. He realizes now that he wants more than just a hookup. He hits a few bumps along the way with Jessie but he ultimately has her best intentions for her and her daughters. I liked Zach and how he went the extra mile for Jessie and the girls. He is one of the good guys and he deserves a family of his own.

Jessie Connelly is getting a second chance now that she is divorced and making a nice life for her and her two daughters, Maddie and Gracie. The last thing she needs is a man like Zach in her life. No thanks! Been there and done that. Her preconceived idea of what he was like was so off the mark she had to put those thoughts aside and see Zach for the good man he really is. He is good with her girls and helps her when she needs it. She feels like her thoughts and feelings finally matter to someone and she is reveling in it. Over the course of the story, both Jessie and Zach grew and learned to trust one another and count on others for help.

The main characters of this story were easy to like and cheer for them to find their happily ever after. Both had pasts that had a whole lot of hurt, and when they found their way to one another it was extremely satisfying. Along the way the Maine crew of Zach’s close friends, who always have his back, make appearances throughout the story, and add fun and lightheartedness. Between the pets and the girls, you got a double dose of cuteness and I loved it. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading each of these stories but I think this story touched my heart a little bit more. I can relate to Zach and his plight. If you are a fan of Jill Shalvis and Kristan Higgins, you will love these books.

This third installment in the Bluff Point books is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Jenn McKinlay’s series. In other words, it was a quick read, short on the angst, high on the comedy.

Jessie was set up as the villain in the first book, so I was surprised to see that she was going to be the heroine in this one. And even after reading it, I’m still not sure if this particular redemption arc worked. Mac’s forgiveness of Jessie is understandable and even commendable, especially considering the epic beatdown Jessie received from karma for her actions. But for Mac to go so far as to become good friends with her, even offering up advice on how Jessie could achieve her goal of sleeping with Zach, seemed too far. I think I would have believed it more if Jessie, after receiving said karmic beatdown, had moved away to start over somewhere else. I just don’t buy that Mac and all of her friends would be as accepting of her in their inner circle as they are. Maybe I’m just pettier than they are. I’m ok with that.

Once I got past my reservations about Jessie’s place in this group, the book itself was as cute and charming as first two in the series. I still think the second book, Barking Up the Wrong Tree, has been my favorite, but this was a good read. And it takes place in the winter, which made it more fun since it’s currently -4. (Seriously – this weather is not fit for humans) The main reason I didn’t rate it higher than 3 stars is the hero, Zach.

Zach is more cute than hot, basically a giant puppy dog. I didn’t love him; his attitude toward women was a little troubling, but he was great with Jessie and her daughters, and I can see her attraction, especially after her terrible marriage. He wasn’t a full-on misogynist or anything, but thoughts like “This had been no small request given that Mac and Jessie had been longtime enemies. Zach didn’t know all of the details because girls, drama, and who cared….” are pretty shitty. Jessie stole Mac’s fiance, from the church minutes before the ceremony. Literally screeched up to the door in her car, honked the horn for Mac’s fiance to run out, then drove off once he was in the car. This is not “girls, drama, who cares”. This is a big fucking deal, something huge and life-changing that happened to one of his best friends, and it’s completely dismissed as “drama, who cares”.

Then he would talk Jessie through an anxiety attack with some genuinely good advice, and I’d like him again. Then Jessie would say good morning to the guy bagging her groceries, and Zach would growl and get possessive and I’d dislike him again. I just couldn’t get to a solid place with him.

Jessie, on the other hand, I generally liked. She ended up marrying the guy she stole from Mac, and boy, did she ever come to regret that. Seth is pile of human garbage and at this point, Jessie is finally rid of him. She’s a really good mom, and she’s managed to land on her feet, thanks in no small part to the help Mac gives her. My biggest problem with Jessie isn’t really with her as much as it is with the way she was written. Jessie has, of fucking course, never had an orgasm. Because Seth was a terrible lover and though it’s not stated, I have to assume he’s the only one she’s been with since no one else is mentioned in this discussion. She knows she could masturbate, but she’s a mom. This really pisses me off. I’m not a mom, and I don’t pretend to know their struggles, but at this point, her kids are 7 and 5. They’re not infants who can’t be left alone for five minutes and only sleep for 2 hours at a stretch. Every mom I know masturbates. “I’m a mom so I can’t” is just lazy writing. I’d even believe it more if she did masturbate but still struggled to climax. Or even that for some reason she just didn’t want to masturbate. But using motherhood as an excuse for not having your character masturbate is just silly.

But Seth, in addition to being a terrible lay, was also a terrible person who destroyed Jessie’s self-confidence. (See – that’s even a better reason for not masturbating). He made her feel terrible about herself, her body, her ability in bed, even the sounds she made and the looks she would get on her face. The sentence “She let out a groan that sounded like a hippopotamus having a hard bowel movement” appeared in this book, and I had to sit there staring at it for several minutes before I was sure I was seeing it right. This is how Jessie sees herself; this is how she thinks her perfectly natural sex noises sound to other people, and my heart broke for her. And Zach is really good at building her back up. He recognized that she was disappearing inside her head and spent so much time making sure she was present in the moment and genuinely enjoying everything that was happening. He was so good to her at this point, that I once again found myself liking him.

Bottom line – this was a quick read, I’m glad I read it, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of this series. I don’t think I’ll revisit this book, but there’s no reason I wouldn’t recommend it to someone else.

Once again, Jenn McKinlay graces us with a roman filled with humor and enough moments that you just can't help but say "ahhh." McKinlay's writing is always fluid, and manages to keep you engaged as you work your way through the story of two people falling in love.

Sweet and charming this is one romance you will want to read. The author paints a fun story line with of course a sweet pup in the plot. I personally love when animals are in romance story. Another aspect is that this feels like it could be a real life romance. It wasn't paint to be beyond reach of the reader.

Book Review - Every Dog Has His Day
By Jenn McKinlay
A Bluff Point Romance #3
A Jove Book
Jan. 2, 2018
Paperback
$7.99 US
Netgalley request

An orange tabby kitten stuck on a neighbor's porch roof brings together a local brewer and a single mom with two adorable daughters in Jenn McKinlay's "Every Dog Has His Day."

Zach is not one to commit to a relationship, but fate loves to deliver surprises. Zach and his dog, Rufus, sleep over Jessie's house during a snowstorm in order to make sure she, Maddie and Gracie are okay. Soon, he realizes that he wants to be more involved in their lives. That he's fallen in love with Jessie and the girls and her house feels like a real home. With that realization comes his inner need to distance her from other men. He's never felt that way about any woman and perhaps it's time for him to settle down.

For Jessie, being part of a caring group of friends is not something she's accustomed to. Her life revolves around her daughters. She's a wonderful mother. Their father is a different story. He has nothing to do with them and is off in some other country having the time of his life.

Here is a mom always trying to do right for her kids, but she's also a woman attracted to Zach. Soon their equal attraction can't be denied. They dive into a relationship, careful to not be found together in bed. Which isn't easy when the kids are in the same house. They are also being coached, encouraged, and cheered on by Zach's brew crew. This is one close and very open family when it comes to saying how they feel.

There is a conflict and that's Jessie's former father-in-law who is determined to play a major role in their girls' lives.

What I loved about the book…That a bachelor who was raised with sisters cared to make a difference in the lives of the girls. They needed a male role model and chose Zach from the very beginning. Zach also chose them. He had a lot of love and patience. Even though intimacy with Jessie played a major role, it was more than just a one-night stand for Zach. It was Jessie who found it difficult to accept this was a lasting love.

This fast and fun read is on my A list. Plenty happening here. Adorable scenes, cheeky characters, and it has you believing that friends can be family.

Jenn is one busy author. She writes the Bluff Point Romantic Comedy series (Every Dog Has His Day #3), Library Lover's Mysteries (Death in the Stacks #8), Cupcake Mysteries (Wedding Cake Crumble #10), London Hat Shop Mysteries (Assault and Beret #5), Good Buy Girls Mysteries writing as Josie Belle (All Sales Final #5 - A review of Marked Down for Murder is here) and Decoupage Mysteries, writing as Lucy Lawrence (Sealed with a Kill #3).


Four curious kitties out of five
gottawritenetwork.wordpress.com
February 25, 2018
Denise Fleischer

Cut,e cute, cute ! Super fun story in this series. It is sure to grab your attention and hold it. Love these characters ! Add a dog and kitten , and it couldnt get any better !

EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY is the third book in Jenn McKinlay's Bluff Point contemporary romance series. Although it's part of a series, EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY works as a standalone book. This may be my favorite book in the Bluff Point series so far. This book will make you laugh, cry, and is full of steamy encounters between this hero and heroine. Zachary Caine is a carefree single hottie, friend to everyone, and local business owner. Jessie Connelly is a single mom doing the best she can, but she's craving adult conversation and companionship. A cat named Chaos brings these two people together when he gets stuck on Zach's roof. Although each book in this series is entertaining, EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY may be my favorite story so far.

Jessie's ex-husband was a womanizing jerk when he was around, and his character hasn't improved since he took off for parts unknown. Although her little girls are everything to her, Jessie does have occasional pangs of loneliness and some feelings of isolation. The achingly attractive Zach and his crew of close friends brighten up Jessie's world. Before reading this book, I had the same assumptions about Zach that Jessie did -- that he was a wild man-child with a different woman every night. Thankfully, Jenn McKinlay wrote an infinitely more complex and likable character than that. Zach isn't looking for an instant family, and Jessie isn't quick to tie herself to any man gain, but their chemistry is undeniable. Jessie's daughters and Chaos the cat and Zach's doggy roommate Rufus play cupid and try to get Jessie and Zach together. Much to her surprise, Jessie finds Zach to be exactly the man she needs for support, to listen to her, to make her laugh, and to heat up her nights. The relationship Zach develops with Jessie's daughters is delightful and adds a wealth of emotional depth to this story.

EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY is an enchanting story of a pack formed of people and pets, with a sizzling romance thrown in. This story has drama with enough romance and humor to even things out. The characters and friendships in EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY are a big part of what makes this story so much fun to read. I look forward to reading Jenn McKinlay's next book.

I just finished Every Dog Has His Day by Jenn McKinlay. I loved it! The first two in the series are now on my must read list! I have read all of her cozy mysteries and highly recommend them to everyone that comes into our library looking for great cozy mysteries. I will now add this romance series to my recommendations.

Book three in the Bluff Point series/trilogy not sure which though I am leaning towards the trilogy as all the main characters have been covered at this point. Now we get Zach's story as his life is interrupted by a kitten that escapes from the neighbor's kids. The mother is Jessie the receptionist at the vet clinic that we met in both of the previous books. She thinks Zach is a player, and Zach has no interest in a relationship so they have pretty much avoided one another before this. Once the cat get involved things get interesting especially as its antics are assisted by a dog that Zach is supposed to be fostering. I swear the two critters had meetings at night to plan all this stuff though it worked out great in the story. Once again Jenn has gone above and beyond in creating a romance novel that flows smoothly and highlights the fur babies at the same time. As much as I was looking forward to this book after the last two I was not disappointed. If you enjoy a good contemporary romance novel then you have to try this book. I really enjoyed every minute of it so I give it 4/5 stars.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Every Dog Has His Day makes me happy. It is a sweet, feel good contemporary romance featuring a confirmed playboy bachelor and his single mother neighbor. Throw together good romantic chemistry, a couple of over-the-top adorable little girls, and a wonderful dog and kitten, and McKinlay has penned a winner. McKinlay continues to make a romance novel convert out of me.

Zach is coasting along in life, enjoying his job, his group of friends, and his foster dog, clueless to what is missing from his life. He has been burned by a love interest before and is committed to maintaining his casual, shallow dating practices. And he certainly does not have any interest in his veterinarian friend’s office manager. That is, until her two little girls come knocking on his door seeking assistance in rescuing their kitten. After a horrible fist marriage, Jessie has sworn off men, especially charming, handsome guys like Zach. She thinks she has him pegged as a user until he comes to her and her girls’ aid during a blizzard. Can the two of them get past their baggage to build a life together?

I admit it, I am a little in love with Zach. He actually reminds me a bit of my husband, not the lothario version of Zach but his true self – his kindness, ease with children, good heart, and his ability to make everyone laugh and feel better. I have a feeling that any life problem is more easily faced with Zach by one’s side. When Jessie was introduced earlier in the series, I did not care for her, but here we see the real woman behind her defenses. She has definitely faced more than her fair share of hardships. Zach and Jessie have undeniable chemistry, and it is fun to watch them fight it and then eventually play out. But, to me, Zach’s relationship with girls Maddie and Gracie is the shining star of the book. Such unselfish love. These are people who are destined to be together, fitting together like a perfect jigsaw puzzle. Readers cannot help but root for Zach and Jessie.

McKinlay’s style is relaxed and compulsively readable. The pace is good throughout the story, and there is a bit of peril thrown in to ramp up the reader’s emotions. My only quibble, and it is a small one, is the resolution of the problem with the girls’ grandfather. It was too swift and easy. Just as a side note, I would never do a group text with my “friends” like Jessie did asking for advice. Perhaps I am too old and endlessly not hip.

I highly recommend Every Dog Has His Day to any contemporary romance reader (and us cozy readers who have followed McKinlay across the genre line).

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Every once in a while I like to take a break from mysteries and enjoy a little romance. Thanks to Jenn McKinlay, last few months I have fallen in love with the residents of Bluff Point, Maine. This third book in the series is the story of Zach Caine, local brewery owner, and his neighbor, Jessie Connelly. He doesn’t do commitment and she is getting over a rocky divorce.

Zach meets Jessie’s daughters when he answers the pounding on his front door. They beg him to help rescue their kitten from a very precarious situation. He soon finds himself wanting to not only spend more time with the girls but their mother as well. When a snowstorm hits and the city loses power Zach decides to take his dog and ride out the storm with Jessie and the girls. They all get very close, like a real family, but will the sparks remain when the power comes back on and daily life, jobs, friends, and ex-inlaws enter the picture?

Both Zach and Jessie have been hurt in the past and have put up walls. Their relationship happens very quickly but they do learn a lot about each other while snowed in. It was Zach’s relationship with Maddie and Gracie that warmed my heart right up. Their father is not involved in their lives at all and Zach sees a huge void that needs to be filled. He pitches right in, reading bedtime stories, having snowball fights and even nurtures their new musical talents. He also steps up to protect the girls and Jessie when someone makes some very unreasonable demands. A minor character plays a huge part in this drama that didn’t have to happen. I wanted to reach into the pages and give the woman a high five and a hug.

Jenn McKinlay continues to create strong characters that I have quickly come to love, including some adorable pets. Their dialogues are perfect, dramatic when need be, and funny when appropriate. The romantic moments were passionate and vivid. The chemistry was apparent from the beginning and continued to grow as the characters evolved in their realization that they could really be happy together for more than just a fling. I was very impressed at how fleshed all of the characters were. We really got to know Maddie and Gracie too. They are a huge part of the story, not background characters. They are both seen and heard. Jessie is an excellent mother and it shows in her girl’s thoughts and actions.

The friend dynamic drives the story in some critical moments. Jessie has not really had a group of friends supporting her before but she is easily accepted into the group of Zach’s friends. She has a huge secret and is brave enough to share it with her new girlfriends in the group. Zach needs a little help understanding that yes, he is falling in love, and his friends make him aware as only true friends can.

I have loved each book in this series. They are stories life, love, and friendship. Heartwarming, every one. I cannot pick a favorite, I recommend all three. Every Dog Has His Day is a perfect book to curl up and read in front of a fire on a cold winter’s night. This romance will warm you right up and the happy ending will leave a huge smile on your face. I am beyond excited for the next book in this series.

This book is listed as #3 in the Bluff Point series, but I read it as a standalone and understood everything. 

This was an adorable contemporary romance. If you are a lover of a cutesy romance and animals, I would absolutely recommend this book to you! The chemistry in this book was enough to make me swoon, so as an avid contemporary romance reader, read this book!!

The first thing that I really enjoyed about this book were the characters. I loved the two little girls in the beginning. They were so cute and innocent. When I got further into this book, I realized that I had fallen in love with Zach's character. He was adorable and capturing from the beginning. There were a few times where his character pulled on my heart strings. His home life was interesting to learn about. I've rarely read a book with a foster child, so it was great to learn about the experience. 
The chemistry between Zach and Jessie was very hard not to notice. Jenn McKinlay did a great job with showing just how well these two worked together. From the beginning, I was rooting for them. I liked how just like in every relationship, there were points of angst and it shows that even in romance novels, not every relationship is perfect. 

Again, contemporary romance lovers,  read this!! I couldn't say it enough that you will fall in love with this story. As an animal lover and romance reader, this was easily a great book. It's short, sweet, and has a great narrative. I would love to give Jenn McKinlay's other books in the Bluff Point series a read!

This is the first novel I have read by Ms. McKinlay, and it certainly won’t be the last. There is a lot of humor, friends, small town fun and a very sexy romance, not to mention an awesome dog and cat.

Zach Caine is the owner of Bluff Point Brewery in Bluff Point, Maine. Owning a brewery has blessed him with friends and coworkers that like to party together. They know him as a happy go lucky guy, who gives commitment a wide berth. He has a dog Rufus, a big lovable poodle who is his constant companion.

His next door neighbor Jessie Connolly is the manager of his friends veterinarian office and a single mom of two adorable girls, Maddie and Gracie. He becomes their hero when he rescues their kitten, Chaos, off his roof, and takes a scary plunge into the snow....but Chaos was fine. The kids adore him, now if he could just get Jessie on his side. A blizzard hits Bluff Point and Zach worries about Jessie and her girls when the power goes out, and he and Rufus head to the rescue. What follows is days of playing in snow, lots of hot chocolate and sleeping by the fire. But the logs aren’t the only thing on fire! Jessie is getting over a nasty divorce, and doesn’t want her kids hurt again by someone walking away. Zach has no intention of walking away...but he can’t seem to convince Jessie. Maddie and Gracie take things in their own hands to solve this dilemma.

I loved this contemporary romance, the light hearted banter, and all the characters, including the pets. Just what you need to read when your looking for some sizzles and laughs.

I obtained this book from the publisher and Netgalley for review.