Heart on a Leash was the perfect balance of sweet and sexy. Imagine having an instant connection with someone only to find out that your respective families might as well be the Montagues and Capulets? This is what happened to Josh and Taylor, both somewhat new in Helen, Alaska (although Taylor had grown up there) but engulfed in a long two-family feud as a result of genetics.

I enjoyed Josh and Taylor's chemistry, ADORED the huskies, and was completely vested in the fate of their forbidden love, Josh and Taylor's, not the huskies :). The family antics were so over-the-top but I could almost see it happening in real life, especially in a small town with so much history. Although there was obviously a HEA (it was a romance, people), I appreciated that it wasn't all wrapped up on a bow and look forward to seeing how the Porters and Lippen's are getting along in book 2 in the series even though the rivalry won't be at the forefront of the new couple's romance.

Heart on a Leash
by Alanna Martin
Read an Excerpt
Berkley Publishing Group
You Like Them
Berkley
Romance
Pub Date 27 Apr 2021 | Archive Date 27 May 2021

Super cute romance and I loved the family drama, but other than that this book was not memorable for me.
I like the cover.. who can turn down our canine friends. Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this ARC.

3star

Ok let me start by saying if you are anything like me don't let the cover make you think otherwise. This is a romance with full heart and steam. And yes the dogs are there are very important part of story too.but it's not in their POV as I had been misled prior to picking it up.
CW: none that I think of.
Syeam: open door

Taylor and Josh start a sweet bumping into each other meet cute (won't add the spoiler) but soon grow into a hot couple. That coupled with the beautiful imagery of summertime Helen Alaska was a much needed getaway for this frozen quarantined reader.

But the best part for me was the whole family drama 😬 it was too much reminiscent of my fav feud romances but with just enough tension without making my heart sink violently. The cousins are the best. Love Taylor sister and Josh cousin Kelsey's tough act. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

So take a walk, a trip , there's even a hike! And get to the other world with this book! Can't wait to pick up the next one!

A long standing family feud, adorable canine companions, & an irresistible attraction makes for a charming Alaskan set romance. A sweet and entertaining series starter!

A delightful contemporary romance with a likeable pair of protagonists! Josh and Taylor both know their families’ century old feud is ridiculous and are determined to pursue a relationship in spite of it. But their journey to a happily-ever-after requires them to navigate the long-simmering animosities of the Porter-Lipin feud, and that’s no easy task.

Martin does a wonderful job of making the small-town of Helen, Alaska so appealing you’ll want to book a vacation stay at the fictional Bay Song Inn owned by the Lipins. And then there’s the adorable trio of huskies owned by the hero, Josh, who will win over the reader’s heart just as they did Taylor’s. (Even though the Lipins are “cat people.”) Cute huskies FTW!

I can’t wait for the next book in the series, Paws and Prejudice!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I downloaded the ARC for this book, but I’ve never been so happy to be an early reader! Heart on a Leash is exactly the type of book I love. It had romance and family drama and the everyday challenges of life.

The novel follows Taylor Lipin as she returns to the hometown she left years earlier to help her sister for a few weeks. Once there she meets the town doctor Josh Krane, and the two are quickly smitten with each other. The fact that Taylor’s only in town for a limited time seems like the couple’s biggest problem until you find out they are from opposite sides of a small-town feud that’s been going on for generations.

Heart on a Leash is a fresh and steamy small-town romance with incredible world-building and characters you love and characters you love to hate. You are swiftly pulled in by the town of Helen and the abundance of cute huskies and one grumpy cat, but you stay for the people and root for this couple despite all the odds being stacked against them.

This was a cute romance, with likeable characters, but it wasn't super memorable for me.

The relationship between the protagonists was well-developed, though a bit lacking in the steaminess department. The setting was a big draw for me, and it didn't disappoint. And the two main side kicks (Josh's cousin, Kelsey and Taylor's sister, Lydia) were interesting. However, the overarching family feud plotline felt forced and kept me from really being able to enter into the story and fully enjoy it.

Because Kelsey was someone I found fairly fascinating, I am planning to read the next book in the series. And if Lydia gets her own book, I may have to read that one, too.

To sum up:
H/h Romance: 4
Steaminess: 2
Character development: 4
Setting: 4
Overarching plot: 2

Overall rating: 3

LOVED this book!! Taylor is not only relatable, but I love her confidence. And Josh is smoking hot. Chemistry, dogs, family feuding - it was all just PERFECT. I enjoyed every page of this book and can't wait for the rest of this series!!!

First of all, that COVER!!! I'm drowning in cuteness!!!

I liked Heart on a Leash, if I have to resume it in one sentence I'd say it's like a modern Romeo and Juliet but with a happy ending instead of deaths and sorrow.
It was light and fun, but I won't lie, I wish the dogs (all of them) were more present because... HUSKIES!!! Who doesn't like fluffy huskies?!

Anyway it was sweet and the second book seems promising.
Can't wait for Kelsey and Ian's story and hopefully more doggy moments!

I was definitely sold on this book by looking at the cover! The Huskies are too adorable for words. This is a sweet and sexy Alaskan romance. In fact, everything between Josh and Taylor was just about as adorable as Josh's three Huskies. What wasn't adorable was the feud between their families that dates back generations. The Porter family (Josh's extended family) and Lipin's (Taylor's family) have been at odds for a long time. With both families trying to sabotage the other and each family wanting different things for their town of Helen, Alaska. Josh didn't grow up in Helen and has only recently moved there. Taylor left Helen for school and wouldn't have returned at all - if her parents weren't getting a divorce and her sister hadn't asked for help.

Both Josh and Taylor think the feud is stupid and destructive - but they try to keep the peace by at first hiding their relationship and then trying to rise above the petty antics of their families. When things start to escalate things between them unravel a bit for a while - but they (obviously) do get their happily ever after.

I really liked Josh and Taylor - and their crew of family on both sides. What I didn't love - and what kept this from being a four star read for me - was the choice to not have their families take steps to rise above the feud. <spoiler>Josh's cousins and Taylor's mom and sister do - but the leaders of the families chose the feud over love. I really needed to see those members of their family learn or grow a little. Obviously the feud isn't going to end because Josh and Taylor get together permanently - but I didn't feel like the ending was as satisfying because that conflict felt so unresolved. </spoiler>

Overall - this is a light, quick read with awesome puppies.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

The Capulets and the Montagues have nothing on the families in this small Alaskan town...

Taylor Lipin goes back to her hometown of Helen, Alaska strictly for holidays only. Not only is it expensive and time-consuming to leave LA and the marketing job she has there, but she hates that she is Helen "royalty" for the worst reason possible: the feud between the Lipins and the Porters. But when Taylor's sister begs her to come and help her run the family inn in the wake of family drama, Taylor can't refuse.

Dr. Josh Krane is settling in nicely in Helen; he likes the small town, and being around his mother's family is... interesting. An Air Force brat, Josh only rarely got to visit his Porter relatives, and thought his mother was exaggerating when she told him stories about the war between the Porters and the Lipins. But the intensity of hatred--and the lengths they're willing to go in that hatred--aren't the only surprise. Josh's cousin gifted him three huskies, and his life quickly revolves around them. So when his dogs lead him to a gorgeous woman, he takes it as a sign to ask her out.

It's pretty much love at first sight; they share similar tastes, they get along great, they adore Josh's huskies, and all is well...

Until they figure out that they are, literally, sleeping with the enemy. And quickly agree on one thing: they don't care. Unfortunately, everyone else does. Are Taylor and Josh doomed lovers? Or can they defy the odds, the expectations, the pressure, and the increasing amount of sabotage?

A wonderful start of a series, set in a vibrant, picturesque Alaskan town, full of drama, beautiful huskies, more drama, and an unforgettable story!

Heart on a Leash is ADORABLE! But don't be fooled by the cover, it's sexy too! I loved Taylor and Josh's sweet and steamy romance. Kelsey was HILARIOUS and I can't wait for her book! I loved how Martin depicted this small town and the changes that towns like this (and the people who come from them/move to them) experience. And the prose! Delightful.

A story guaranteed to put you in a good mood, Heart on a Leash ticks all the boxes! It was heartwarming without being cheesy, didn’t subscribe to any of the small town cliches, and the main characters were incredibly likable— I found myself rooting for the both of them from the very beginning. The story was both wholesome and swoony, and the author's effortless writing style makes this an all-round winner. Beware, you might find yourself wanting to adopt a husky (or three) after reading this book!

I think I want to move to Helen, Alaska. I mean, I hate the cold and I’m more of a city person and I am unable to deal with temperatures below 80F but I don’t even care because this book made me fall for Helen sooo thoroughly that I am ready to buy snow boots and spend my life popsicling. It’ll be worth it.

In short, HEART ON A LEASH is the story of a girl who moves back to her hometown to help with the family business when things are not going great. In long, this is what I loved: 1) Dogs. So many amazing doggos to love. Huskies for the win and they all have personalities and they totally OWN this book. Jay is my fave but if anyone asks I don’t have favorites. 2) The story: this book has a Romeo and Juliet flavor but it plays with the forbidden love/supposed-enemies trope in such an interesting and unexpected way! Every time I thought the characters were going to do something, they did the opposite, and it was great! 3) The main couple. They had such chemistry I just *FIRE EMOJI* And at the ending the were so many delicious feels aaah I teared up! 4) The small town atmosphere and the feeling of getting to know the place 5) The humor!! I laughed out loud so many times! 6) I don’t even know what to list anymore but I should mention that I stayed up until 2 am to finish this and I really need my sleep or I get really crabby!

What I hated: I actually have to wait months for the next book in the series even though HEART ON A LEASH made me fall in love with the couple it’s going to be about, especially Kelsey and her dogs, and then I’m going to have to wait even more months to read about Taylor’s sister (and by Taylor’s sister I mean Merlot, her cat, whose life and wellbeing I am very invested in).

Perfect book with a perfect story from a perfect author <3

Not only did I fall in love with Taylor and Josh and their love story (and determination not to let their families interfere with their relationship), but I loved Josh's three Huskies, Jay, Pepper and Bella. How can you not love a book with three lovable Huskies frolicking and giving kisses in a hurricane of furry bodies? I wanted to be in Helen, Alaska with all of them. This book really transported me there, and despite the feud between the two main families, made me want to live there too. It was such a well written book, with characters I wanted to know (especially Kelsey! I hope she gets her own story!) and dogs I wanted to hug. Curl up with this wonderful book and be prepared to read it all in one sitting.

A small-town romance without the cliches that often accompany this genre, the story features a heroine who has the self-awareness to know you can come home again and still be yourself and a hero who is up for the challenge of making a home for himself after a childhood of moving from place to place. The two lovers meet-cute before they find out they are on opposite sides of a century-old family feud. I loved how they were both mature and kind, with no deep hidden traumas or hangups, just two people wanting to be together but divided by the treacherous waters of family dynamics. Also, there are adopted huskies. Huskies, Alaska, love - what more could you want!!??

This was a good book. I have to say that the pettiness of the feud was not always enjoyable.

Taylor is a Lupin and Josh is a Porter descendent, their families hate each other. Can their relationship make it, or will their families tear them apart.

Thank you netgalley and Berkley Publishing group for allowing me to read this title for an honest review.

Taylor has had a rough time of it including being laid off from her job in LA. It was a dream job that allowed her to escape Helen, Alaska. Her hometown is charming to tourists, but not to her. This loss of affection has everything to do with a long-standing rivalry between her family and another family. This rival is an Alaskan Hatfield and McCoy battle or even Montague/Capulet battle. Josh is a doctor that loves his simple life with his three Siberian huskies. Things are good for him because he is on the perimeter of the family drama, and not in the out and out battle around town. Until he bumps into a cute girl that he takes out without asking her last name.

I love Alaskan romances!!!! This was cute. The family feud was a bit annoying, but I liked Josh, Taylor, and the younger folks. Definitely excited for the second book.

Romeo and Juliet in modern times. The Lipin and Porters are enemies, but when Taylor (a Lipin) meets Josh (a Porter) and start dating, the stakes rise. I enjoyed this book not only because the story was great, but because of the dogs. The huskies were adorable and Jay was my favorite. Wonderful love story about standing up to your friends and family for true love.