This is my first time reading a Sarra Manning novel and I loved it ! This is a feelgood love story that develops between Margot and Will who become co owners of Blossom - a rescue dog. This is a perfect read for these challenging times - characters you fall in love with and root for and by turns funny and emotional. Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC

An adorable rescue doggo brings together a woman looking for love and a man who doesn’t believe he can form emotional connections. This was an adorable, funny, emotional and romantic read. Margot and Will were wonderfully messy but relatable and likeable individuals with a sparky connection from the start. The development of their relationship from reluctant co-pawrents to friends and more was very organic and handled well by the author. Blossom was the best girl and deserved all the treats. An entertaining and engaging read from start to finish.

Margot is a 36 year old, plus-sized fashion designer who lives in fashionable North London. Will is a former investment banker, burnt out, and working in his family's floristry business in North London.

After Margot is rejected by both her boyfriend and her cat she decides she is more of a dog person anyway and wants to rehome a rescue dog, something small and fluffy that she can fit into a Louis Vuitton dog bag (okay I totally made up the Louis Vuitton bit, but you get the picture). She has very clear ideas about the sort of dog she wants, the way in which the dog will fit into her life and how things will change for the better, you know lots of fun walks and dog-friendly pub lunches not so much late-night wee walks in the pouring rain and poo-bags (speaking as a dog owner).

Will has spent the last year in therapy and is desperate to break free, he feels he has made great progress in reconnecting with his family, okay he hasn't got any friends or any thoughts of a significant other (or even a date), but baby steps. In fact, Will thinks that offering to spend time with rescue dogs, maybe even take one home for a day or two could be the first steps towards engaging with others.

Margot and Will end up co-pawrenting (yes they went there) a shy female Staffy called Blossom. They are different in almost every conceivable way, apart from their devotion to Blossom. At first handover days are more akin to divorced parents exchanging children, but gradually they become closer, they could even be friends.

I don't know how Sarra Manning did this, she took frankly unlikeable individuals and slowly over the course of the book turned them into loveable characters. This book clearly shows the difference between our imagination and reality when it comes to dog owning, and makes you love Blossom anyway.

If you like gentle romances, annoying families, interfering friends and soppy dogs then I think you'll love this as much as I did.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

If you love a good romance and have a soft spot for dogs then this is the book for you. I adored the story, wonderfully romantic, impossibly cute and right up my street.

As a dog lover, and an avid reader of romance, I was immediately drawn into this book.

Immediately, the narrative hooks you in. Margot's chapters feel so relatable - from the way she relents and allows her cat to find a new home, to her overemotional outbursts. There is something so fun, honest and open about her character.

Will, in comparison, is closed off and guarded. But not in a way, like so often happens in this genre, that feels cliche or like a plot point, it doesn't make him unlikeable, rather you want to break down his barriers and get to the root of what he's feeling.

Blossom, is of course my favourite. The way the author has captured the personality of the dog is remarkable and she is very much a central part of this book, even without a vocal narrative.

Overall, the way Blossom brings together two very different people, who challenge and compliment each other was a delight to read. It's a book that kept me up into the small hours of the morning, and one that will have you laughing, crying and unable to think of anything else.

Easily one of the best books I've read this year!

Rescue Me is Sarra Manning's latest book about two Londoners who both fall for a rescue pup, Blossom, and decide to adopt and co-parent her. Margot is a 37-year-old fashion buyer who still copes with the loss of both of her parents through positive affirmations and creating a family of friends. Will is of a similar age, and has returned from the finance world in New York to help his family run their floral business after the passing of his grandparents. Will Blossom be able to bring these two together? Everyone will have to read and see!

I really enjoyed this book! If you're a fan of cheeky British RomCom narration as much as I am, then you'll adore this read! The separate traumas previously experienced by Margot, Will and Blossom are well-thought and full of careful writing. I always appreciate a deeper exploration of each character's backstory! Margot's workplace family was fun and exciting and Will's family was full of heart and so engaging! Plus, the ending was just perfect - especially the nod to Blossom's intent throughout this whole story!

If you love - Beth O'Leary's work (Flatshare & The Switch), One Day in December by Josie Silver, 101 Dalmations, dogs - in general!, Much Ado About You by Samantha Young, Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert - then you'll love Rescue Me!

A canine centred romcom which follows 'copawrents', quirky Margot and brooding Will, as they share custody of cute Staffie rescue dog, Blossom. As Margot and Will learn to work together to parent or as they say 'pawrent' their beloved pooch, they also discover a new depths to their initially frosty beginnings. An enjoyable slice of escapism - a perfect light lockdown read. Thank you Netgalley for the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I requested for this book without really reading the synopsis and only because was in the mood for some rom coms. I didn’t know what to expect but I was very very pleasantly surprised.
Will and Margot both fall in love with the same Staffie, Blossom from the animal shelter and decide to adopt her together , and share her custody. How Blossom manages to change their lonely lives makes up the rest of the book
When I started reading, I couldn’t bring myself to like either Will or Margot. They were both irritating and unlikeable . But Blossom was star right from the beginning and my dog loving heart needed more of her, so I decided to keep on reading.
Slowly, without even realising it, I began to fall in love with both Will and Margot. How the author slowly unfurls both these unlikeable characters and makes you fall in love with them is nothing short of magic!!!
I was thoroughly entertained and loved how rhe relationship between Will and Margot develops. I loved Will’s family as well!
The star of the book however is Blossom. Even the dog gets character development in this book and I loved every second of it!!!
I highly highly recommend and can’t wait to read more from this author
Rating:4.5

Sarra Manning is an author I’ve read before. YA contemporary, adult romance and chick-lit. I obviously prefer the chick-lit though this very cutesy book definitely sits firmly within romance.

Rescue Me follows Margot and Will who after running into eachother at a kennel wind up adopting Blossom, an adorable Staffie together. Having her a week each, they wind up spending time together and slowly falling for eachother.

I wanted to read this book the moment I heard the concept. Shared love for a dog bringing two people together? It’s perfect. And Blossom was a perfectly adorable dog. In fact, she was probably my favourite thing about the book.

The human characters were okay. Will and Margot have both been through a lot and it’s made life difficult for them at times. But it didn’t really feel like I got to know them that well even knowing these massive secrets. And that seems to be a theme for all the characters. Will’s family pop up a lot and though I cared for them whilst reading it some of the things were solved without feeling like much went into them. You constantly hear about Sage needing to go to uni and her not wanting to but that’s basically it. I would’ve liked a few scenes seeing her work things out. And then on Margot’s side it’s mostly her, Will and Blossom and I just wasn’t sure.

Still, it was nice to see the effects of grief, abuse and even mistreatment of animals portrayed so well. It was done sensitively and I teared up a few times. I didn’t outright cry but it was emotional. You see that with support, therapy and talking things through you can grow past these things. But if they still have a negative impact on you now and then, that’s fine too. It doesn’t make you any less and I really enjoyed that.

I didn’t really care much about the romance. Don’t get me wrong, it was cute, but when they started to have problems I was rolling my eyes. I already said that this book makes communication out to be important. And yet you still get them not talking and listening when things go wrong. Sigh. I know there has to be some drama but it was particularly frustrating in this book.

This is definitely a book for dog lovers though. Blossom reminded me a lot of my own dog even though they’re completely different breeds and sizes. It made me so happy to see such a happy, playful dog throughout most of it. And it hurt my heart when Blossom was sad. She definitely was a good girl.

Rescue Me is an uplifting, refreshingly charming, contemporary romance. And the perfect book for dog lovers! If you’re looking for a fun rom-com and a joyful read, this is the next book for your list.

The story follows Margot and Will, who become "co-pawrents" to a Staffie named Blossom. Margot is worried about time passing as she wants to start a family. To fill the need for love, she adopts Blossom. Will has recently left a lucrative career in New York City for the family business in London. He struggles to build emotional ties with others, and so also adopts Blossom. The blurb of Rescue Me is what drew me to the book, simply because I knew it was the kind of premise that would have an entertaining narrative. Two strangers sharing a dog is a recipe for hilarity.

Margot and Will’s dynamic is not totally enemies-to-lovers, but they certainly struggle to put on a united front. As a result, Blossom becomes more and more mischievous. But they do have contrasting personalities which add to the book’s entertainment. Margot is independent, passionate, and feisty. She’s very open and honest, and never afraid to hold her ground. Will is also very honest but relatively shy, despite his previous flashy career. He’s kind and generous, but it’s hidden beneath a colder exterior.

Rescue Me is a light rom-com, but it’s grounded by the way the author covers weightier issues, namely the concept of a biological clock and childhood trauma. Manning very delicately explores the impact parents can have on children once they grow up, as well as the anxiety that comes with loneliness. It’s always comforting when angsts like this are written with care, and the author does this really well.

Manning has a warm writing style, that’s easy and light but emotive and moving. The characters are both in their 30s, so there’s a nice level of maturity to their development and dialogue. Both Margot and Will react and communicate like real human beings, and I really appreciated this. The alternating POVs also help the reader get to know both personality. They have genuine insecurities, mainly surrounding self-worth and love, but they are portrayed with an authentic kindness that really drew me to the story.

One thing I love is that Blossom is bursting with character. She’s not just a prop, she behaves the way a cheeky dog would. But at the same time, she’s an adorable pup and so very loveable. Blossom brings out the best in her "co-pawrents", which in turn adds an uplifting tone to the plot.

The romance in this book didn’t really appear until at least half-way, and only then were there obvious sparks between Margot and Will. I liked them as characters, but their love story could have been set up a little sooner, so it had a natural and smooth introduction. Still, it feels worth the wait. There’s a bubbly and magnetic connection once it gets going, which was delightful to read.

Margot, Will, and Blossom’s story is a really sweet one. It has all the core ingredients for a good romantic comedy, with the addition of puppy love. Overall, Rescue Me is the ideal book to curl up with.

This book is romcom perfection. Anyone who follows Manning on social media knows she loves a good romcom, and that adoration is then reflected in this wonderful read. She utilises all the recognisable tropes into a heart-warming and joyful read. The story of two people brought together by a cheeky madam of a staffy will be the perfect winter warmer during dreary January. The literary embodiment of a chef's kiss, made for binging.

Strangers Margot and Will end up sharing custody of a rescued Staffie, Blossom. All three have their issues, Blossom has obviously been badly treated previously, Margot is single and feeling her biological clock ticking in her mid 30 and Will needs to micro manage everything.
This is a gentle book that really grew on me, there isn't any real romance initially but concentrates on both Margot and Will trying to help Blossom in their own totally different ways. Will struggles with emotional ties whilst Margot has so much love to give whilst dreaming of Haddon her own family. Blossom is the real star of the show and made me rethink my attitude to Staffies, but also felt for both the "copawrents" as they start their relationship and try to overcome their own issues. A feel good story with a touch of humour plus some darker moments as their pasts are revealed, going towards explaining the reasons behind their issues.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

RATING: 4.25/5 STARS

"After their first meeting at the rescue centre, both Margot and Will want to adopt Blossom so reluctantly agree to share custody. But Will's obsession for micro-managing and clear-cut boundaries and Margot's need to smother Blossom with affection, means that soon they have a very confused and badly behaved dog on their hands.

Can they put their differences aside to become successful "co-pawrents" and maybe even friends? And meanwhile, does Blossom have plans of her own?"

I was so excited to get a copy of this book because I would die for dogs and I love a good enemies to lovers story! I absolutely loved all the characters in this novel. A book always ranks high on my list when I can picture the characters as actual people with actual lives instead of cardboard cutout characters that just take up page space, and Sarra Manning did not disappoint me. You have feisty and passionate Margot, who longs for love but tries so hard to convince herself that settling is her only option for a family, and you have soft-spoken Will, who avoids emotional connection with others at all costs as a defence mechanism. Both of these beloved characters could not be more different in terms of their personalities, but fundamentally they both share the same subconscious guiding philosophy of not feeling deserving of love - they just approach that in different ways. The side characters are also very unique in their personalities and dialogue, so even though a lot of names were thrown around, it was easy for me to pinpoint who was who.

I am in awe of the way the author portrayed real issues within her story, such as a woman's fear of the pressure from her ticking biological clock and the scars that parents may imprint on their children. She managed to interweave the different traumas and situations that Will and Margot faced in their younger years into their current personalities and why they make the decisions or act the way they do now in a very natural and seamless way. It's a really good lesson for everyone to learn: how the effects of trauma don't necessarily show up as some huge immediate personality changer but can also show up as scars and imprints that appear subtle or normal at first glance, yet actually end up having a long-term impact over a lifetime.

And of course, I saved the best for last! Blossom was the main reason why I was so interested in reading this, and I'm very pleased at how the author was able to give our furry little friend such personality and character development. We watch her fit into the common theme that Will and Margot are in, where she opens herself up to unconditional love (and cuddles) after a mysterious traumatic past. I love how she acted like the child between both co-pawrents and how her actions reflected that throughout the book. She's basically the puppy version of the twins from the Parent Trap in a way, and I am living for it.

My main comment would be that the pacing of the plot of the story felt a bit unnatural at times. The romantic aspects of the story didn't really show up until about 3/4 of the way in. Additionally, the ending sort of surprised me. I love a good epilogue, but it just felt like a complete 180 in terms of Will and his original misgivings about marriage and love. I would've liked to see that built up more and incorporated into the story earlier so that the change wouldn't appear so drastic.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and it easily ranks as one of my favourites for 2020. The way the author seamlessly combined quirkiness, lighthearted fluff and real-life issues is pure brilliance. I'll be reading more from Sarra Manning!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an e-ARC of this lovely book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review!

I really enjoyed this book all the way through. It had a really good plot, great main characters and really keeps you hooked on the plot. I would highly recommend this book.

A must read for any girl who loves dogs! This is a sweet, cosy read perfect for curling up beside the fire after a long dog walk.
Anyone who loves dogs knows they are excellent judges of character, and when Margot and William agree to co-pawrent (great new word!) Blossom, a resue Staffie, it’s no surprise that they Blossom slowly helps them to know themselves and each other better.
Any dog owner will recognise some of the stories of Blossom’s misdemeanours, how they act like they understand what you are thinking/feeling and how dogs quickly become a much loved member of the family.
I read this book with a smile on my face and I will be buying as Christmas presents for a few dog lovers.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a nice simple heart warming read, lovely characters and a lovely storyline, just what was needed in these depressing times.

I love Sarra Manning but I chose this one because of the rescue Staffie (the gorgeous Blossom) as i'd recently lost my own beloved Staffie. This one lived up to my expectations and was the perfect rom-com: I laughed out loud and I cried (perhaps because of my personal situation) but will definitely re-visit this one again at a later date. Light but with shades of dark. Perfect!

I absolutely loved this book! Margot and Will are copawrents to Blossom, a Staffordshire bull terrier. The story follows them in their journey and also delves back in time to find out how they've landed in their current situations.

The book is written from both points of view which I love as a style of writing as we the reader don't see everything through one set of eyes.

This book had me laughing and crying and as much as I raced towards the end I didn't want it to finish because I was enjoying it so much!

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the early review copy - I'll definitely be recommending this book to others!

God, I love Sarra Manning and always just devour everything she writes. Unsticky and You Don't Have to Say You Love Me being reread every single year.

How BRILLIANT was Rescue Me, though.

I think this has potentially everything I want and need in a rom-com: it has complex characters, it's funny, throw in some steamy romance and canine friends. I could not put it down.

This book was heart-warming. It's the growth of two very lonely people, Margot and Will, who become 'copawparents' to a fantastic and sassy rescue dog Blossom (who stole the show for me in all honesty). It's their journey to becoming a family and Will and Margot coming to terms with personal traumas from their past. It shows how dogs can understand feelings and give unconditional love no matter who you are or what you've been through, or even what the dog has been through.

The one thing I always admire about Sarra's writing is her ability to show real characters with real feelings that we can all relate to. The balance was just right and the romance was spot on, and I will be picking up a copy of this when it publishes to sit next to my battered and loved copies of Sarra's other books.

You may rescue the dog but ultimately it's the dog who rescue's you!

Thanks as always to Hodder for allowing me to read an ARC.

This doggie themed contemporary tale did not disappoint. This story follows Margot and Will (complete strangers) become co-pawrent for a rescue dog. Blossom (Staffordshire bull terrier) had a great role too! The story had heart, laughs. Both main characters have to face the demons of their past before looking forward to the future. The first half of the book was cute and light but the second half dealt with some darker issues.
The perfect read for dog lovers and fans of contemporary fiction.