A light hearted getaway with a great sense of humor! I so enjoyed reading this book, the craziness of life and a chance meeting was written so well. I didn’t want the story to end. Harper and Jonah met during a Lyft ride, well they really didn’t meet but due to a sudden stop and phone’s flying, there was a phone mixup, And so starts the story add in some lovable dogs, crazy coincidences, being career driven and the love of family and you wind up with a great story. A definite must read!
Thank you #NetGalley and #JuliaLondon for this ARC of #ItStartedwithaDog. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.

I am a sucker for a great rom com and I can totally see this book as a movie. Add in the fun family and the lovable dogs and this book is an enjoyable escape from real life. The accidental phone swap and the hilarious text conversations gave them insight into the other’s life before they ever laid eyes on each other in person. The romance was sweet and seemed to move at just the right pace to keep me engaged. If you love dogs, family and romantic comedies then this book is for you.

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of It Started With A Dog. I enjoyed this book a lot!

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pub Date: October 5, 2021
Star Rating: 4 stars

Truth be told, I wasn't crazy about the first book in this series. But, I'm a sucker for a good dog story, so I decided to give book #2 in the loosely connected series a shot, and I'm glad I did! I enjoyed this one so much more, and I'm happy to say the series is getting better as it goes!

I think, overall, I much preferred the premise and the characters of this book to the first one. I loved the competitiveness and the connection between Harper and Jonah, and their love for dogs is truly infectious in this story. I challenge anyone to read this and not be a dog lover once you're done! The coffee shop aspect of the story was really cool to me, and I thought the characters were well thought out, well developed, and well executed (a rarity in a rom-com).

I think the best line of the book was, "There are never enough dogs, baby." Talk about a swoon worthy line if there ever was one for a dog lover! I think this story showcases how competitive spirits can also balance each other out, and I thought the chemistry between Harper and Jonah was spot on. It didn't come on too strong at the beginning IMO, and it built throughout the story.

Julia London and Berkley have a winner on their hands with this one!

It Started with a Dog is the second book in the Luky Dog series By Julia London. I have not read the first book, but nothing indicated I missed anything and needed to read that one first. I wasn't even aware it was part of a series I finished reading.

The eve of Christmas Even, Harper Thompson and Jonah Rodgers are squished together in the back of a Lyft van when a near accident happens, causing their phones to fly to floor. They accidentally switch phones during the rush for Harper to make her bus. Jonah realizes the mix up on the plane and he quickly texts his phone to see about switching back. Unfortunately that won't happen until New Year's Day so the meantime they text each other and get to know one another without ever really mean person.

Harper is opening a new coffee house, Deja Brew and hoping for a big promotion. Jonah is trying to save his family's coffee shop, The Lone star. Deja Brew Will be in direct competition across the street from the Lone Star. Neither of them know the other works at the competing coffeehouse until after they start dating. The fun starts and never stops, there are dogs, competing coffee house/shop, lots of laughs, wonderful family, a weird boss and enough steam to get us to a very HEA.

While this book is a fun read there is a topic that can be a little heavy at moments. Jonah's father has been diagnosed with leukemia and the book does talk about how this is a struggle at times for Jonah trying to help save his family's coffee shop because his father is not able to fulfill his role in the business. They were also times where Harper's attitude was very cocky and overly competitive and self-centered which made me get frustrated with her at times because she had such a one track mind of accomplishing for objectives and nothing else.m

I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I have been a Julia London fan for quite some time. When given the opportunity to review an ARC of It Started With a Dog I jumped on the chance to read the second book in her dog series. This contemporary rom-com entertained me right from the start. I laughed at the text conversations, I got mad at Harper’s boss, loved all the dogs in the story, loved Jonah’s family and was happy when the ending turned out the way I was hoping it would. This was a great end of summer read - light, funny with just enough sizzle for everyone.

Harper is stuck in traffic, in a crowded van driven by a Lyft driver. The passengers were looking at Google maps on their phones trying to locate a different route, when the driver slammed on the brakes. Their phones went flying. When Harper was on the bus, she took out her phone and saw a photo of a dog on the screen. She realized she didn't have her phone. Exchanging texts with Jonah (who had her phone), they planned to meet to exchange phones when they got back to Austin.
When they meet, they are attracted to each other. Then they find out that she works for the company that is opening Deja Brew across the street from Jonah's family's struggling coffee shop ~ Lone Star.
We meet some quirky characters ~ Jonah's family ~ Harper's boss, Soren ~ Bob, a grumpy bulldog ~ Jonah's dog, Truck ~ Lulu, a 3 legged dachshund as we find out if both coffee shops can survive on the same street.
The book begins and ends with the Austin Canine Coalition's annual King Mutt's completion.

It Started with a Dog by Julia London is the 2nd book in her fun and charming Lucky Dog series. We meet our heroine, Harper Thompson, and our hero, Jonah Rogers as they shared a cab together, with each traveling during the holidays. Jonah notices when he is on a plane for business close to Christmas that he has a different phone. He then realizes that when in the cab, things fell, and the other women (Harper) picked up the wrong phone. They begin to text each other, but Jonah will not be back until after the holidays, and they each have to deal with using the others phone. This leads to them sending hilarious texts received from others, and it was a laugh a minute watching them begin to bond. Both are determined to meet each other after the holiday, but most important, Harper loved the dog on Jonah’s phone screensaver.

Harper is in Austin, TX, launching a new coffeehouse, Deja Brew, and determined to make it the best one yet, as she is hoping for a promotion, but her boss and his new assistant make things difficult for her, which causes her to worry about the promotion.

Jonas is an engineer, who has taken a leave of absence to help his sick father run the Lucky Star coffee shop. When Harper and Jonas finally meet, neither knows that the new Deja Brew (which Harper is handling) is competition for the old fashion Lucky Star, which could put Jonas’s family out of business.

In a short time, their relationship heats up, as they have amazing chemistry together, not to mention that Harper loves Jonas’s big dog, Truck, who is wild and adorable. Even when they learn about their competitive coffee shops, both Harper and Jonas continue their relationship, as they are falling hard for each other. Harper gives Jonas tips about fixing up the old coffee house with some of her contacts, she also gets to meet his family, who are a fun group, and she has a homey feeling when around them. But she is still determined to make Deja Brew a great place, with high class and amazing features. The competition between coffee houses will include a dog contest ‘King Mutt’.

What follows is a heartwarming fun romantic romp, with a great couple, wonderful characters, and I absolutely loved the dogs. London has a way to bring wonderful romances and add fantastic dogs. I loved Jonah and Harper, as they were very steamy together. Jonah’s family and Harper’s friend Olive were lots of fun. Most of all I loved the dogs, who were adorable; Truck (Jonas dog), Bob, a grumpy bulldog (that Harper will adopt), and three legged Lulu (part of Lucky star).

It Started with a Dog was so very well written by Julia London. This was a fun cute story, with a fantastic group of characters and adorable dogs. What happens in the competition? You need to read the book to find out. I really enjoyed reading It Started With a Dog, and suggest you read this book.

A mix up over a phone brings two people together. They both have their work cut out for them trying to make rival coffee shops work. A totally wonderful book with lots of doggie love.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, any thoughts and opinions are my own.

I truly enjoyed this book! I was leery at first, because the first book in this series was almost a DNF for me, but It Started with a Dog more than made up for it. The characters were engaging, the storyline was down right funny at times, and the pace of the book kept me interested throughout. Jonah and Harper were very relatable characters, and the secondary characters were all people we have had dealings with in one form or another in real life. All in all, this was what I call a fun easy read, light-hearted and humorous. I look forward to reading the next book in this series!

It Started with a Dog (Lucky Dog, #2) by Julia London
Harper Thompson is opening a new coffee house, Deja Brew and hoping for a big promotion. Jonah Rogers is trying to save his family's coffee shop, The Lone star. They accidentally swap and get to know each other over texts. The fun start here and never stops, there are dogs, competing coffee house/shop, lots of laughs ( I love it when a book makes me laugh out loud), some tears, wonderful family, a weird boss and enough steam to get us to a very HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Happily Ever After Wonderful characters Witty Entertaining Page-turner Easy-to-read Steamy Romantic Great world building Funny

Ok you know what? I need more books that feature dogs. Wild and happy dogs, grumpy dogs, scared dogs with three legs, all of the dogs!

Outside of the doggy aspect of the story, I really enjoyed this book! Harper is intense and focused and driven to the exclusion of almost everything else. Her parents have never really been there for her, so she learned to be task oriented at a young age and that is almost her entire personality now.

Jonah is a lovely and thoughtful man who has taken a leave of absence from work to help take care of his parents coffee shop while his dad is recuperating from leukemia and the treatments associated with it. Unfortunately, the shop is not doing well and it makes more sense to sell than to continue losing money.

When Harper and Jonah accidentally switch phones, the chemistry is fabulous. But when he learns that she is in charge of opening the fancy coffeehouse across the way that could put the family shop out of business permanently, can those sparks stay strong?

I loved watching the growth of these two characters and also the love of Jonah’s family. Harpers family made me mad, but at least she has a best friend who cares for her and ensures she’s not going to be murdered by a serial killer!

** spoiler alert **
(“uncorrected proof” for review.)

Really enjoyed this!

Harper & Jonah are dealing with what I think are such well written rl familial issues cushioned by lovable, (or not), pets. Some serious life changes, (or not), are happening throughout this tale and nicely dealt with.

I am just such a dog 🐩 lover & this story struck a lot of wonderful notes for me.

Rescue Dogs! Romance! Family Fun!
I loved everything about this book from the author's touching dedication to all her dogs, past, present and future to the happy ending. The beginning brought back memories of an old movie titled “You've Got Mail” modernized with texting on cell phones instead of a chat room on a computer.
The main characters in both talk back and forth without meeting and in the process begin an interesting relationship. Harper and Jonah get their cell phones accidentally switched on a bad Lyft van ride out of town, Christmas Eve no less. Their banter is so hilarious it kept me laughing and anxious for their phone exchange. First meeting couldn't have been better with Jonah's dog Truck taking center stage. Big as a truck and full of excitable energy I would love to meet this one. Both Harper and Jonah are true dog lovers and there is plenty of fun with Truck, Bob, the old grouchy bulldog that Harper walks at a dog rescue and a variety of other rescues that will make you laugh and fall in love at the same time. The annual King Mutt competition is the greatest! Can't have a truly great story without problems and Harper and Jonah have their share when they find out their coffee shops are rivals. Take the old fashioned homey Mom & Pop shop and stand it against the latest and greatest high tech coffee house and trouble begins. Can Harper and Jonah work together to find a solution and keep their new hot relationship going? You'll love how things work out. I know I did. And did I mention dogs before? They are the greatest! Can't wait to read more in this series.
Thank you to the publisher and author for an ARC from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Julia London has done it again. This is a heartfelt and romantic romp. The protagonists are sympathetic and likeable characters. This book along with the previous one, You Lucky Dog, would absolutely make the best Hallmark movies. Julia has a talent for inserting a little giggle into even the most poignant scene. I loved this book.

I feel like the luckiest woman in the world having received an ARC of Julia London’s upcoming romantic comedy It Started With A Dog. This book is pure fun and had me smiling and laughing as soon as the dogs began appearing on the page. It was hard to remember that Harper Thompson, over-achiever extraordinaire and Jonah Rogers, his family’s saviour, were actually the stars of the story when the antics of Shetland pony sized Truck, grumpy bulldog Bob and three legged dachshund Lulu were there to steal reader attention. They all had their own personalities and created plenty of humorous moments.
The witty text messages between Harper and Jonah and hilarious messages from Jonah’s parents added to the humour, yet the underlying romance in this story was sweet and engaging. It’s been an absolute joy to read this story.

This second book in the Lucky Dog series is just as good as the first! I love all the characters and the dogs as well. Great story development and the book moves along well. It's one of those you don't want to end but can't wait to see the conclusion at the same time! Looking forward to reading more from this talented author.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters are great and very relatable. Jonah's dilemma about his family's coffee shop and Harper's angst about a promotion are spot on. The dogs are adorable. I'm a firm believer that dogs make everything better and this book is no exception. I highly recommend this one.

This has all the makings of a cozy hallmark movie, and I loved it! From a Christmas time meet-cute, to adorable puppies! Harper is career driven and goal oriented, while Jonas is also career driven, he’s more family oriented and that family is a tight group! This was super cute, and a little emotional but, if there’s anywhere that has a “King Mutt” competition, I’m sold!

Pub Date: September 28, 2021
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for advanced digital copy in exchange for review

Everything good starts with a dog including this adorable story. It Started with a Dog is charming, sexy and tons for fun! A perfect match for dog lovers and romance readers! Jonah and Harper accident swap phones on a cab ride and are unable to swap back until after the holidays. They start texting to get the other informed on what they are missing on their phones. They finally meet to swap and sparks fly! They have a ton in common and crazy chemistry! Then they find out they are rivals in the coffee business and only one can survive. I had a blast reading It Started with a Dog and I can't wait for more people to fall in love with this story!

Julia writes a witty, charming, romantic story that starts with an accidental phone swap. Include rescue dogs, competing coffeehouses, and crazy family and this quick read will make you smile. And of course everyone loves a happy ending.