Reviewed for www.buriedunderromance.com
FOREVER FOUND, the second book the Forever Friends series by Allyson Charles, drew me in from the description even though I hadn’t read the first novel. A dog lover through and through, I was intrigued by the story of a vet known as the Dog Whisperer and his work at the local animal shelter.
Hunky but grumpy Gabe Moretti was not proud of things that had happened in his past and, because of this, he decided to become a vet and donate part of his time working with the homeless dogs in the Forever Friends shelter. The shelter had recently had a complete makeover, courtesy of wealthy socialite Marla Popov. Gabe found Marla very attractive, but since she was several years older than he was, he couldn’t see any kind of serious relationship developing between them. They began a steamy, sex-only relationship and they also found themselves working together to bust a dog-fighting ring. Was this enough for both of them?
This book can basically be divided into three parts. There is the relationship between Gabe and Marla, the story of the dog-fighting investigation and the various stories involving all of the secondary characters. I was a bit nervous when I realized that dog fighting would be a major part of this novel. It is, however, a story that needs to be told since it is still happening. The story was told with concern and empathy, and while it was apparent that some dogs had been seriously injured, we were spared the details for the most part. Even though the solution to this problem was for-shadowed very early in the book, this storyline was solid and held my interest.
The various secondary characters were well-written and had major parts to play in this story. The people who worked at the shelter, Marla’s grandfather, Gabe’s disgusting uncle and cousin, and Marla’s extremely wealthy father all add to the depth and texture of the story. My personal favorites were Dax from the shelter who had many demons of his own to settle, and the two little old ladies from the home where Marla’s grandfather lived whose hobby it was to create cell-phone apps. Clever.
The relationship between Gabe and Marla should have been the strongest part of the story but I actually found it very disappointing. There were two steamy sex scenes, not because they were falling in love, but because both parties found the other hot and they wanted to have sex. Period. No romance. Nor did I really see any romance build as the story developed. I’ve never been a fan of sex for sex’s sake, and even though these characters do eventually end up in a romantic relationship at the very end of the book, I just didn’t buy it.
I would recommend this book with reservations. The animal shelter story and the dog fighting mystery were interesting, but the “romance” lacked romance. I’m undecided if I will be reading the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

I love stories by Allyson Charles and have been reading them for the last few years. This is the second story in the Forever Friends series. Gabe is a good guy who works at the shelter. Marla is a rich girl who has helped the shelter financially. Gabe misreads Marla and really acted like a jerk. Marla gets to discover more about herself and they do strike sparks together. I like how Ms Charles gave each character depth and layers. Her stories always make me feel good and stories dealing with helping animals are an added bonus. As always, I am looking forward to her next tale.

Sexy romance about animal rescue vet Gabriel Moretti who is great at 4 legged friends not so much with the 2 legged kind. Fun, fast read.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley for my honest review. This is the first book I have read by Allyson Charles. It was a quick read but very predictable in most areas of the story. I did not really like the character of Marla and had a hard time with the relationship that emerged between her and Gabe. I love dogs which is one reason I selected this book to read. That being said, I did not like Marla's snooty poodle or the fact that she took her into dangerous situations. Marla, and Maddie, jump without thinking into situations they have no business going into. She is supposedly intelligent but she doesn't act that way. Maybe it is her rich girl ways that drive her to believe she can have and do anything she wants. Gabe is also driven and bursts headlong into the search for the dog fighting ring despite warnings by the police to allow them to handle it. Maybe this lack of thinking of consequences is really what binds Marla and Gabe together. I found it annoying. I did not see them as a viable couple. There were some funny moments and enjoyable secondary characters though which allowed me to give the book the 3 star rating that I did.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Forever Friends
Standalone
HEA

I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

Marla and Gabe were a good match, and spent the requisite amount of time at the beginning of the book fighting with each other and hating each other before realizing they were actually great together. Otherwise, the plot was a little loosey-goosey with the whole dog-fighting ring. Overall, a fun, easy to read romance with a hint of action.

Gabe Moretti is the local vet. He also volunteers his services at his friend’s no kill animal shelter. He is grumpy, snarky and sarcastic. In his early thirties, he has never had a relationship, just a series of one night stands. He isn’t interested in being social or gathering a large number of friends.

Marla Popov is a trust fund baby. She has more money than she needs and is very philanthropic. She has 2 Masters Degrees that she can’t really do anything with, except maybe teach. When her grandfather got ill, she followed him to the small town he retired to so she could help however he needed and decided to stay. She has a rescue standard size poodle that is her constant companion. She is educated, smart (not the same thing, believe me!), funny, snarky, outspoken and has a big heart. She is trying to figure out what to do with her life as she is nearing 40 and not feeling very successful.

Marla donated land and a building to the shelter when their lease wasn’t renewed. She overhauled everything to accommodate their needs. She and Gabe butt heads constantly. He thinks she’s a socialite with more money than sense. She thinks he’s a crabby, hot, unsocial man she loves to banter with.

I like the older woman, younger man story line.

I like the retirement community sideline. There are a few laughs in this book.

I struggled with Gabe and Marla’s “relationship.” No communication, lots of thoughts in their heads, unfounded assumptions. It starts out as sex just to have sex but then there was no romantic build up. It just didn’t flow well for me and I didn’t feel their connection.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Review by Amanda for Love Romance Books

I was asked by the author for an honest review.

I would like to give Forever Found 4.5 stars. This is the first book I've read in the Forever Friends series. I didn't feel like I was missing anything without having read Forever Home first, but the characters do appear in Forever Found so it might have been nice to read Forever Home first.

I liked the writing style, the humor and the characters. There was some unnecessary miscommunication drama, but overall I really liked the story and would like to read more by Allyson Charles.

Forever Found by Allyson Charles
Forever Friends #2

Wealthy older woman has the hots for younger man who is a veterinarian. She pushes all his buttons in the wrong way except that she is physically his dream come true. Both have issues that come out through the story but it takes most of the book before I could see what the two might see in one another. The issue that underlies this book, besides the cougar romance, is dog fighting…something I have trouble wrapping my head around and difficult to read about although most of what is said about the dogs and the fighting is inferred rather than spelled out.

This book has me on the fence…it was okay in some ways but did not grab me as some of the author’s other books have. I would like to read Dax’s book that is coming up next and wonder what else lies ahead for this series or perhaps another.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing – Lyrical Shine for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

This author won me over with the first book in this series, so I was stalking Kensington's listings on NetGalley and couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one before release day. This is the story of a grumpy, growly veterinary with a sketchy past and a proper, pampered, trust fund diva who has hidden depths. Along with the rest of the cast of the Forever Friends Shelter, of both the two- and four-legged variety, this unlikely pairing makes for a delightfully entertaining read.

Gabe and Marla’s story isn’t all fun and games, but has surprising depths with Gabe dealing with decades of guilt as well as his close-minded misjudging of Marla, and Marla struggling to find her place in the world and never being able to earn her father's respect. There are still plenty of light-hearted, laugh-out-loud moments with dogs whose personalities are as big as the humans, bickering senior citizen computer programmers, and a reverse cowgirl scene gone terribly wrong. That one still has me laughing! 

Gabe and Marla are absolutely awful and completely perfect together, and Gabe gets most of the blame and the credit. He certainly has his hands full with Marla running headlong into trouble, but the clueless guy needs to buy a lot more than a vowel when it comes to expressing himself. Yet somehow, that just makes this surly, sullen, grouchy guy even more endearing. And, bless his heart, when he finally gets it right, he gets it amazingly, perfectly right. If you're looking for a book that is entertaining and light hearted yet heartfelt and poignant, and one that celebrates the joy and blessings of animals in our lives, this is the perfect read for you! 

*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

I'm really happy that I found Allyson Charles' books. I've been really enjoying her series. This new one of hers has been a favorite of mine because of the dogs. I love books with animals in them, especially when the author gives the animals personalities.

Forever Found is the second book in the Forever Friends series. And if you've been reading this series that I hope like me you couldn't wait to see who would be crazy enough to fall in love with Gabe. I mean the man his just plain grumpy. I will say his bad attitude is what makes Gabe, Gabe. He might not be great with people but his wonderful with animals. I just love how hard he works for them.

Yes his childhood is a bit shady but that doesn't take away from what he's made of himself.

As much as I really enjoy Gabe, I have a few issues with Marla. It's funny how I kept flip flopping on her. One second I liked her the next she was bugging me.

Marla has a big heart and cares very deeply about her dog and all the dogs out there that need a home. That part is one of the things I like about her. She's always willing to help those in need and be there for them. All good things. I think her biggest issue is that she needs so badly to show others what she can do, that she doesn't think first.

As you read the story you learn what I'm talking about. More often then not she pushed where she shouldn't of. It got on my nerves a little. The funny part was one second she'd do something I thought wrong and the next I'd like her again.

Crazy!

As a whole this is a good story. You'll love the humor between the guys and the romance at times is very touching. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I really can't wait for Dax's story which is out sometime next year. I have a feeling that as hard as it was for Gabe to fall in love and settle down Dax will have even more issues.

I so can't wait!

Hey everyone, I'm back with a NetGalley ARC from Allyson Charles called Forever Found. This is a book about a vet and a "socialite" who dislike each other at first, then fall into lust which leads to a HEA. Gabriel Moretti and Marla Popov live in Clarion Township in Michigan which isn't very big so of course they're bound to run into each other. On top of that he's the vet and she's the biggest donor to Forever Friends, the shelter that he works at part time. This is definitely an enemies to lovers story with Gabe and Marla having to get past their pre-conceived notions of each other. They both have difficult relationships with at least one family member and there's also a crime mystery that they get involved with.

Marla is an older woman who's not quite sure what to do with her life. She's living in Clarion Township because of her grandfather and her relationship with her father is strained. Because she comes from money ($$$$) she doesn't have to work and all of that idle time means she has lots of time to think and analyze her life. Gabe on the other hand doesn't come from money and is a vet as direct consequence of how he grew up. His relationship with his father was also shitty and even though he's doing a job he loves, his life feels dissatisfactory.

So without getting too spoilery, Marla and Gabe go through a lot to be together and sadly Gabe has a family member who turns out to be shit on toast! I really loved Maddie and Hoover (Marla’s dogs) and how Hoover becomes a part of the family. If you love dogs and enemies to lovers, you’ll really enjoy this book!!

What I liked:
1. All the nerdy references. LotR, Sherlock, Neil Gaiman.
2. The humor. I laughed out loud quite a bit.
3. Younger man/older woman
4. The reconciliation at the end. It was well done.
5. The retirement community storyline
6. The older folks finding love at the retirement community

What I didn’t like:
1. The clichéd way the characters didn’t talk about their feelings for one another and “broke up” because of their lack of communication. It’s lazy.
2. Some authors are really good at writing the sexy times. Unfortunately, this isn’t one of them. The different names she uses for things took me right out of the story and it really wasn’t hot at all.
3. The dog fighting storyline

So there was more good than bad, but I was disappointed with this book because I liked the first one quite a bit. I am looking forward to Dax’s story because he’s been my favorite character since the beginning of the series.

Veterinarian Gabe Moretti is gruff and tough on the outside, yet his heart melts for the animals he treats. He works part-time at Forever Friends, an animal shelter run by his friend, Brad. The shelter’s space is funded by wealthy and gorgeous Marla Popov. She’s high class, loves dogs, and wants to make it with Gabe if he’ll get off his high horse and join her. Word on the street is someone’s running illegal dog fights and Gabe’s afraid his family’s involved. Lots of action, and hot and steamy love scenes. Strong, gutsy heroine, and rough and stubborn hero. I loved all the dogs—especially Maddie and Hoover.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Lyrical Shine. Thank you.

I enjoyed this book so much! This is my first from this author and it definitely won't be my last!! The story line is very good and the characters are well developed and likable. I love the progression of Gabe and Marla's relationship and of course his job as a vet and his incredible "dog whispering" abilities. Nothing better than a sexy animal lover!!

Thank you to Netgalley/Publisher for this ARC.

What’s not to love about Gabriel he’s rough around the edges. And all kinds of sexy. His friends all know he’s not a people person but can work wonders with animals. Marla comes in all flashing with tons of money toss around to help the animal clinic that really needs funding. Gabriel immediately decides he doesn’t like Marla and her rich ways that is until he starts to see the might be more underneath her rich persona. It was a cute story it’s some ex developments. Keep the story moving. I received an ARC from netgalley and my review is solely of my own options.

Forever Found is a wonderful story! I loved the back and forth between the friends. I smiled through the entire book.