The Dachshund Wears Prada by Stefanie London is a pithy rom com that doesn’t exactly break any new ground but is a thoroughly fun and enjoyable read. Although, I will say that the way Isla loses her initial job is described in spectacular fashion. I think people who follow stars on social media secretly hope to eventually see something like this. At least I would. The plot is exactly what you expect from a rom com. This one has something extra though. It has heart that many others are missing. As breezy as the story is, there are multiple relationships that are surprisingly deep. I loved the relationship between Isla and her younger sister Dani. Theo and Isla have a relationship that grows naturally. And then there is Camilla. The pooch of the title is a force to be reckoned with. A thoroughly enjoyable beach read. For more details, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. This review was written based on a digital copy of the book from Harlequin Trade Publishing.

Isla is a social media consultant whose promising career is suddenly sidetracked. Theo has inherited his grandmother’s sassy dachshund Camilla, but can’t find a dog service to help him with her during the workday. When Isla charms Camilla in Central Park, Theo offers Isla a job and desperate, she accepts.
Okay, this was just the cutest book with characters that were lovable and relationships that I adored. I will forever and always be embarrassed when there’s a certain level of steam in a book, but I know so many of you who will love that part of it too. 😉 It looks like this is the first in a series and I’m there for it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Dachshund Wears Prada is the first novel in Stefanie London's Paws in the City series. I'm not ashamed to admit that the title of the book and the series had a lot to do with getting me to pick this one up!

Isla Thompson learned the hard way that once something is on the internet – it STAYS on the internet. Unfortunately for her, this includes a woman going viral for the wrong reasons. Even worse, what happens on the internet doesn't just linger – it also affects our physical world, which is why Isla is currently very much unemployed.

In a fit of desperation, Isla's going to take any job that comes her way. She has a little sister to take care of, after all. And that means she's about to work for a temperamental dog as a glorified sitter.

“And I think you can tell a lot about a person by how they treat animals, actually.”

The Dachshund Wears Prada is undoubtedly one of the more unique concepts I've read. Yes, all of the titles and marketing give the impression that it will be based on different stories, and while that might be true on some levels, it is also very much a creation all Stefanie London's own.

Overall, I have to say that The Dachshund Wears Prada was a surprisingly cute read. Okay, I expected that going in. You can't promise me romance and little dogs and expect me to assume anything else, okay? It also had a bit of steam for those hoping for something with little fluff.

This was a fun, quirky start to a series that I doubt will be full of personality! I believe the next book will follow a different set of characters, giving readers a chance to dive into another romance and series of events.

I absolutely love this cover. It’s so different from the usual bare chested dudes holding dogs (😆) and I love Stefanie Londons writing style, it has me smiling from almost the first sentence. Theo is a recluse, and he likes it that way, grumpy, sullen and a total grump. But today he’s goodbye to his beloved grandmother, the only person he cared about after his parents died (so you could see why he’s the way he is) he doesn’t do public speaking very often, and he hates being in the limelight, but his grandmothers reputation and standing has him swallowing his fear and sadness, he’ll do her proud….. Isla has gone from influencer to pariah overnight! A simple mistake has her scrabbling around for a job, but nobody wants to hire her! Desperate she takes the only job offered to her. Dog walking a pampered pooch! Reading as these two stumble through hilarious moments had me laughing at loud. Then sniffling through tears as heartfelt moments are spoken about. So many emotions in this book. Spicy moments that catch you unawares, and if your reading it on the train (then be prepared to blush 😆) There are a also few sad moments that will have you reaching for the tissues. I loved Camilla, she just stole the book, a grumpy, snappy dog who hated everyone. But with her going to psychics, and slowly becoming an internet star you fall in love with her, and now I want a Dachshund. So can the team of grumpy/sunshine ever work? And what will Theo think of Isla turning his grandmother’s dog into a tool that will push Isla back into the heady heights of social influencer? End note to this review, the ending was just perfect. Grab a copy of this book, you won’t be disappointed. Feel good read that I highly recommend. 🦋

This story was surprisingly fun and insightful! I had a great time reading it. It’s light but not dumb, the characters are great and very likeable.

This is a lovely romance novel that takes place in the greatest city in the world, New York! The story centers around Isla, a social media consultant who has been disgraced, and Theo, a rich and famous person who just lost his grandmother. Theo is left his grandmother’s beloved but terribly mannered dachshund, Camilla.

I honestly loved this book immediately! I found it by searching “dachshund” in NetGalley and the title alone intrigued me. I own a dachshund myself and the various ways the author described their personalities and looks was perfection.

Camilla the dachshund is more a supporting player compared to Isla and Theo, but her story still weaves in seamlessly. I also used to live in NYC and could totally picture all the various doggy events and locations. Because it is romance there are some steamy moments! Definitely a good summer read.

Lines such as this one show what an adorable romp it is: “Your tail complimented me, whether you like it or not. The tail doesn’t lie!” I was smiling while reading this book much. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Congratulations. I always enjoy Stefanies' books. Well written and heart warming. Do yourself a favour and buy it for yourself.

This one was pretty cute - and a total love letter to dogs and pets. I loved the reclusive billionaire vibe and the sunshine vs grumpy trope. While it was pretty cute - it lacked a big of depth to the story for me.

Don't judge a book by its cover certainly applies to the main characters of this story. At the beginning of the story, Isla and Theo appear to be very different people. While their backgrounds are significantly different in some ways, as the story unfolds I realised that they have more in common than we realise. 
Camilla, the dachshund really makes this story. She's definitely an important "character"
I really like how acknowledging that they have fallen in love creeps up and surprises both Isla and Theo.
I look forward to reading Isla's best friend Scout's story, and am curious who the main characters of the third book in the series will be.

This is an enjoyable romance, but it is a steamy one. Isla Thompson is a social media consultant who accidentally posts a video that not only ends her career, but makes her a laughing stock in the industry. She needs to find a job in order to support herself and her fourteen year old sister, Dani. An accidental meeting in the park has her accepting a job as a companion and carer to Camilla, a glossy-maned, foul-tempered dachshund. Theo Garrison is the present owner of Camilla after his grandmother dies and passes her pampered pet to her grandson. Camilla is a terror, having gone through so many animal carers that the agency dumps Theo. Isla refuses to give in and gradually builds trust with both Camilla and her reclusive owner. Meanwhile, she takes fun pictures of Camilla in various situations, never showing her face so she can't be identified, and begins her own instagram persona, The Dachshund Wears Prada. As Isla and Theo get to know each other better, they develop feelings for one another, but they both have reasons why a relationship won't work.

I really enjoyed this story. It was full of humor, emotion and family. Camilla was hilarious, trying and often succeeding in intimidating almost everyone. All her appointments, including a pet psychic were so over the top. Isla is a very responsible person caring for her sister when their mother abandoned them. She was smart, loyal and resilient able to do what was needed. She had a lot of baggage to get past in order to move on. Theo earned his reputation as a grouchy, hermit honestly. After the death of his parents, he was raised by his grandmother who recently passed away. He now runs the family publishing business, but after a bad relationship, he refuses to get into any serious new relationship. He has his own baggage to get past, realizing that not everyone is out to use him. I was cheering Theo and Isla on and I enjoyed watching them come out of their shells and begin to trust one another. The ending was great and had me smiling widely as conflicts were resolved and trust and love flourished. Even Camilla got a happily ever after. This is one that I highly recommend with a warning that there is a lot of open door romance. If you love books where animals play a large role, romance and family, then this is a book for you.

Theo Garrison is a loner and a recluse. Isla Thompson is a social media consultant. Truly complete opposites. After a disaster with her latest client, Isla loses her job. But she was at the right place at the right time when she ran into Theo and his adorable dachshund Camilla. Theo was left Camilla by his grandmother and has been at his wits' end trying to find a dog sitter. Not only does he suddenly offer Isla the job, she gladly takes it.

Isla is guardian to her teenage sister Dani and will do anything possible to give Dani the best shot in life, including supporting her love of ballet. Dani's education and future mean everything to Isla.

When Isla starts working for Theo she discovers a mile long to do list for Camilla. She does her best to follow the insane schedule, and she does indeed wonder why other dog sitters did not last. Meanwhile, Isla is more than drawn to Theo. But, he is her boss, so could there be any chance of a romantic entanglement?

Theo is a complex man. As mentioned, he is a loner. When you look at the baggage that Theo has in his life, you will realize that this book had an emotional edge to it. So, Camilla provides the light moments in this enjoyable story, while Theo's past and present, as well the growing feelings between Theo and Isla add a a nice layer. In fact, more than once my heart wept for not only Theo, but also Dani. Stefanie London did a remarkable job with this book and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to read and review it. The Dachshund Wears Prada is the first book in a new series and I am looking forward to reading future installments.

Many thanks to HQN and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please also enjoy the following YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/JqrZe4JHNLM

This is my first time reading a book by this author and I am pleasantly surprised by the writing. I will be reading more books by this author if more are available, because I love her style of writing. This romantic comedy tugged at my heart strings because I myself have a dachshund. I love a good romcom, and this book brought my favorite dog and my favorite type of book together in one. The book does touch on subjects that may be tough for people who have had parents neglect them, but this book is overall a fantastic book that I would recommend to others!

This was a really great book! I loved it to pieces and am looking forward to the next one! Fans of the Grump vs. Sunshine trope will absolutely adore this one!

3.5 Doggy Love
* * * 1/2
This is a dog lover's tale. I have had many in my life and the unconditional love they give you is everything. This tale takes a woman who tries to be positive even though she is hit with a situation that would bring many down. She re-invents herself and brings insight and love to a grumpy guy.

Together they find love.

The Dachshund Wears Prada is an absolutely delightful read. It's witty and fun. So much so that I laughed out loud several times! Isla and Theo seem like complete opposites, but they really are good together, and they are good for each other. As usual, Stefanie London does an excellent job of timing the humor to temper the emotion, so things don't get too heavy. The book is well written, the pacing is spot-on, and the storyline is engaging and entertaining. Another great read that you will truly enjoy!

Thanks for the advance copy. I just couldn't get into this book and I DNF it about 40% into the story.

Definite bump because DOGS. What can I say, I'm a sucker. The bond between Isla and Camilla the titular dachshund is sweet and telling. Good connection between Isla and Theo, and they both push each other to be better versions of themselves.

While it’s entirely predictable, London’s newest is charming and cute. In the beginning Theo is gruff and standoffish, very Beast to Isla’s Beauty but as we get to know him we see the lonely man underneath and the reasons he’s kept himself separated. Time spent around Isla’s bright and understanding spirit has him coming out of his shell more and more. But it leaves him vulnerable and that’s not something Theo likes to be.

Isla is struggling to find work to be able to support her sister and a chance encounter with Theo in the park gives her the help she needs. While working on winning the trust of his temperamental dachshund, Isla also gets a glimpse into the heart of Camilla’s equally troubled owner. And the more she sees, the more she likes.

As good as the romance is, the secondary relationships are important as well. There’s something wholesome about Isla’s relationship with her sister. The way she shows her support and patience, the sacrifices she’s made for her, and the way Dani is willing to help her sister in return. And I really hope we get to see more of Isla’s friend, Scout, as her support is very important to the Thompsons and I’m curious about her story. Theo doesn’t have very many people in his life, by choice, but you can see the caring that’s there for those that have known him the longest. And the stories of his grandmother show just how awesome she was.

There’s so much about this book that I liked. It’s fun, steamy, & emotional and even though I could see their problems coming a mile away, the path to them and then to a HEA made for a very enjoyable read.

The Dachshund Wears Prada by Stefanie London is the first book in the contemporary romance Paws in the City series. As with a lot of contemporary romance series the Paws in the City series will feature new main characters with each installment with a full romance in each book. Since there will be new characters each book can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so with some glimpses of previous characters.

Isla Thompson has worked hard to make a living out of her passion for social media marketing. Isla’s latest job is making a young star look fabulous at a big function when everything goes wrong and Isla is still streaming the events. With that one failed job Isla’s world has come crumbling down around her.

Isla doesn’t have time to dwell in her failures with being responsible for her younger sister and needing to keep a roof over both of their heads. When job after job passes her by Isla isn’t sure what to do until she runs into wealthy Theo Garrison. Theo’s grandmother has just passed leaving him custody of her temperamental pup and when Isla tames her in a blink Theo proposes a dog sitting position at three times her old pay.

The Dachshund Wears Prada by Stefanie London was such a cute but yet steamy opener for the contemporary romance Paws in the City series. I will admit part of my liking this one so much is probably due to being an enormous animal lover so toss some cute pet moments in and I’m all gushy. I also happen to love romance stories with children involved and adored that Isla was a guardian to her teen sister and it was definitely fun to watch Isla tame the brooding Theo. Nice start to the series and I look forward to Scout’s story next!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

"...𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬."

Centered around an out-of-work, yet optimistic social media consultant who finds herself nannying the pampered pooch of Upper East Side royalty, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝗪𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐚 provided a delightful way to spend the day. Quick and easy, entertaining, and surprisingly steamy this sunshine-meets-grumpy romance is simply begging to be adapted into a Hallmark movie. And, trust me, it would be a fan favorite immediately! Let me tell you why:

After losing his parents in a paparazzi-caused accident, Theo, the reclusive "hermit of Fifth Avenue," doesn't deal with people, let alone pompous pets. So when his beloved grandmother wills her "devil princess” to him he's forced -- as the family's sole remaining heir -- to make it work. A seemingly impossible take due to Camilla (our Prada-clad pup) scaring away every potential caretaker. When Isla, desperate for work and blacklisted from her industry, quickly hits it off with Camilla in the park she’s hired on the spot. What follows is a funny exploration of how the other half lives -- even on 4 manicured paws.

Overall, this charming contemporary was super enjoyable to read, albeit a tad too repetitive. Some identical phrasing and scene rehashing could have been edited to make the story stronger. The romance, which toed the line of instalove, evolved into an emotional and accountable relationship rarely seen in the genre.

Thanks to a likable MC, an adorable half-sister, and a doggo-centric Instagram account I’d totally follow IRL, I definitely fell in puppy love.



Trigger Warnings: death of a parent, death of a grandparent, parental abandonment, car accident, grief