This book is phenomenal. It is moving, sweet, thought-provoking, emotional, and truly pulls at your heart strings. Whenever I picked up "Dog Friendly", I often forgot that I was reading a book, and truly felt like I was right there with the characters.

This is the first book I have read by Victoria Schade, and it certainly will not be my last. Her writing style is full of heart, emotion, and her passion for writing is so very clear. I was instantly pulled into the story from the first page to the last.

Firstly, HOW CUTE IS THIS COVER! I am such an animal lover, and it is just SO SWEET!

I do not want to say too much about the plot due to spoilers, but, I will simply say, this book is a must-read. It truly has so much in it: emotion, heart, sadness, hope, love, romance, and so, so much more. At moments I had tears in my eyes, and, others, a smile on my face. As the reader, you feel like you are right there on Morgan's journey.

I highly recommend this book. I found myself turning the pages into the early hours of the morning, and I look forward to reading what the author writes next.

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, and to Berkley Publishing Group for having me as part of the blog tour for this novel, it is incredible. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Please Note: This book deals with some very heavy topics.

Sweet, loving and full of waggy tails!
I came into this book not knowing what to expect, I hadn't read this author before and so wasn't sure what to expect, but I was intrigued by the back blurb which (and the cover) alone made me want to pick this book up and have a read (despite having a callosum tbr pile screaming at me). I left the book with mixed feelings, on one hand, I loved it and on the other, I thought it wasn't what I expected.
Even though this is billed as a romance, I would have labelled it more along the lines of contemporary, women's fiction. Yes, there is a romance story, but I thought that the love story took a back step and the overall story was about a woman who is stressed out and at the point of breaking down and taking a much-needed break for herself, There are some very serious subjects woven through sweet little story such as depression ad even suicide, so please be warned! But overall this is a lovely story of finding life again,....with the added bonus of some very cute dogs.

The story follows a burnt-out veterinarian who takes a break from her career, spending a summer on Nantucket as a dog walker and finding an unexpected romance with a surfer.

This was a sweet book that hits on some serious topics including stress and depression, but balances it out with lots of furry friends. I will say I think the romance was lacking as I never really felt the connection between Morgan and Nathan and wasn't invested in their relationship. I feel like the story could have committed to the women's fiction route and focused more on Morgan's mental health journey instead of their relationship.

Overall it still makes a fun summer read that will have you wanting to visit Nantucket.

Thank you Berkley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute romance about a vet who goes to Nantucket to regroup after her anxiety gets the better of her. There's a handsome guy and LOTS of dogs. I loved all the dog training and socialization tips, I’m going to my own dog. A nice easy read that will make you smile.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

Must Love Dogs!
Dog Friendly is an endearing and cheeky novel of a veteranian who has hit a wall, emotionally. Morgan Pearce is stressed beyond capacity and after an incident at work, she decides to take up an offer to visit Nantucket for the summer and be a dog sitter. If Nantucket has the amount of friendly dogs running around as this novel portrays, I've never wanted to visit there more. Both the characters and the dogs shine in this little romcom that does tackle some serious issues like depression, stress and some bullying. I love the development of the relationship between Morgan and the ''soda boy'', Nathan. You can tell the author is passionate about dogs, and I look forward to exploring her previous novels.
My only issue was there was a small plot twist/reveal at the end that wasn't 100% believable. There were two characters with a similar experience but the connection didn't get made well. Hard to explain without spoilers. Well written though and a fun read. Perfect to kick off the summer, would make for a great beach read.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy.

I'll admit I got this book strictly for the cover. I love dogs. While the story itself was interesting I couldn't connect to the book or the characters. I didn't feel that Morgan and Nathan had a ton of chemistry.

Dog Friendly by Victoria Schade is a cute fun romance, with adorable dogs. Morgan, our main character is a veterinarian in Nantucket. I loved having the snippets of dog behavior and veterinarian perspective throughout the book. Overall a good read!

Another summer dog-friendly romance from this author. It's clear that Ms. Schade knows dogs very very well and she writes them and the setting (Nantucket) with heart. The romance is interesting and fun but I love the dogs more (sorrynotsorry.)

A Nantucket vacay, a sexy surfer, and a sweet foster puppy help change veterinarian Morgan Pearce's life. A RomCom lover's dream!

Thanks to author @victoria_schade, @berkleypub, and @netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#dogfriendlybook #authorvictoriaschade #berkleypublishinggroup #NetGalley #romcomnovel #NantucketRomance #veternarianromance #bookstagramcommunity

DOG FRIENDLY by Victoria Schade is an emotionally engaging story that explores some difficult topics with a compassionate and heartwarming touch. It had just the right blend of human and doggy drama to keep me turning the pages. Veterinarian Morgan Pearce is becoming increasingly overwhelmed and overworked in her high pressure corporate-owned practice. While she loves her job and her furry patients, compassion fatigue is a constant struggle. When she has a health crisis at work one day, Morgan knows she needs to take a break and the perfect opportunity arises when her favorite clients ask for her help caring for their special needs senior dog on Nantucket for the summer. What starts as a chance to reset and recharge in a perfect island setting, leads to fostering a dog with behavioral issues, making unlikely friendships and even embarking on an unexpected summer romance. I enjoyed the beautiful beachy setting and following Morgan’s journey through some difficult times. The dog characters were especially endearing. DOG FRIENDLY is a charming and delightful book and I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

“‘Use the damn outdoor shower…It will change your life, woman. Do it and report back to us.’ Wow . . . they were right. The combination of the hot water rushing over her, the crisp summer air, and the sound of birdsong and sunshine turned the shower into a Zen experience. It wasn’t even something she could put into words, the outdoor shower just felt . . . better. Just like everything about her summer so far.” #IYKYK

Burned out veterinarian Morgan Pearce is feeling overworked and under appreciated, so when two favorite clients ask her to watch their special needs senior dog in their Nantucket home, she jumps at the chance for a much needed beach getaway.

Guys, this is THE summer beach read you need in your life. It has dogs, sand, surf, dogs, sun, romance, healing, love, dogs. Did I mention it has dogs? I read this in less than a day and feel like I’ve seen a movie, that’s how good it is!

I do not reread books, maybe 1-2 in my whole life, but I feel like this book is going to sit on my shelves and be revisited and reread every summer. It is such a feel good story full of hope and healing and forgiveness. And dogs. Always the dogs.

Thanks for the free book @berkleypub! And also thank you to Netgalley and the author for the eARC. Get yourself a copy to throw in your beach bag (or any bag)!

The dog days of summer are upon us, and Dog Friendly by Victoria Schade is a fun and ideal read to while away those hot summer days.

Ms. Schade masterfully weaves several threads together with lovely descriptions of Nantucket, making me feel like I was there. She also elicited so many emotions—laughter, tears, sadness, hope—and all involved cute dogs.

Morgan needs a break in her life as a veterinarian, and when the humans of a favorite fur baby ask her to dog sit for them for a couple of months at their home in Nantucket, she never thinks she’ll take them up on their offer. But when she does, the story takes off.

The different dogs she meets give her peace even when diagnosing some who have illnesses or need treatment without letting on she’s more than a dog sitter to their owners. She meets some of the locals and those who are summer visitors.

Nathan, an entrepreneur on the island, and Morgan hit it off first as friends and then evolve to more, but little do they realize what it could mean for their futures.

Morgan and her younger brother are estranged, but when he becomes engaged, he extends an olive branch which Morgan grabs onto. There were both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments as the story twisted and turned.

There is closure with the epilogue that takes place one year after the story ends, but I still wanted more. The book was reminiscent of those penned by Elin Hilderbrand, Kristan Higgins, and Jill Shalvis, some of my favorite authors, so this is high praise indeed!

If you’re looking for a nice beach reach this summer. Look no further. Dog Friendly by Victoria Schade is a quick-paced read that will leave you wanting more.

A book with a dog on the cover and knowing it is a romance will always be a book that I will start and probably like! Morgan Pearce is a veterinarian who has been through it all and is about to lose all of her marbles when the perfect summer break shows up on her doorstep when a patient of hers needs extra care while their parents are away and it is in a semi secluded location - so off Morgan goes to Nantucket.

While always in a romance, the reader can easily predict where the characters will end up, the journey is the reason for reading. I felt at times there were a few pieces missing, but overall I felt as though the journey was a great ride. It was interesting reading about the turmoil a veterinarian and how dealing with both pets and humans is hard, especially when it can be a hard day for all parties involved. With dogs in my care, I spend a lot of time with our vet and never thought about how their job is difficult dealing with both animals and humans!

I loved how the healing care of dogs was shown in this book. We recently lost a pet and our other two have been a part of the healing process and dogs can definitely bring the heart rate down!

My third Victoria Schade book and third time was a charm - I have loved all three. I hope to catch up with her books that I haven't read shortly and sure hope that there is a dog or two in each one!

As my third Victoria Schade novel, it was no surprise that DOG FRIENDLY is comprised of a cast of lovable canine characters, plenty of accurate behavior and training information, and a romance with a happily ever after. However, I wasn't expecting to feel such strong emotions. While her attention to detail and apparent research hasn't changed, Schade's writing has evolved and matured over the course of her last three novels (I still need to read LIFE ON THE LEASH). This is not to say that the writing in WHO RESCUED WHO and LOST, FOUND, AND FOREVER wasn't excellent, but rather, the female protagonists have become more nuanced and exhibit greater depth and complexity.

I do feel that it would benefit readers to understand that DOG FRIENDLY falls outside of the standard romance genre due to the heavier, albeit real-world, topics explored throughout the novel. While I have always valued my veterinarian, I discovered a brand new appreciation for the challenges those in the profession face and the associated emotional distress. Also, as the owner (mom) of a dog-reactive rescue, Morgan's experiences with Hudson validated those that I've had with Roxy. At times, it wasn't easy to read due to aforementioned personal experiences, but the book provides extremely valuable insight into what it's like for those who don't have "dog friendly" pups. Luckily, the breezy Nantucket setting provided the perfect balance of levity. Nathan and Morgan's romance took a backseat to her self-growth/healing and her relationship with Hudson, and honestly, I loved that. DOG FRIENDLY was a perfect representation of the idea that you cannot give 100% to a relationship if you aren't whole yourself. I was incredibly appreciative of the therapy sessions and boundary-setting, both romantically and professionally.

Another knockout from Victoria Schade, and I cannot wait to see what comes next. Thank you, Berkley Pub and NetGalley, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

CW: burnout, depression, mentions of suicide, bullying

Veterinarians have a really tough job, and Dog Friendly takes us to Dr. Morgan Pearce when she's getting to a breaking point. Taking some time away, she can choose to open herself up to more, but will she?

I read this in a single afternoon - I loved having the snippets of dog behavior and veterinarian perspective sprinkled in, and felt like it took me to Nantucket!

CW: Bullying; Suicide; Mental Health

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for an ARC.

#DogFriendly #Netgalley

When veterinarian Morgan Pearce collapses at work, she is encouraged to take some time off. The timing is perfect to accept an offer to dog-sit one of her patients on Nantucket. What follows is a life changing two months that is almost magical. Morgan finds joy in simple things - like afternoon naps and walks through the summer tours destination. She makes friends, begins therapy, fosters a dog and finds love. Well paced with well developed characters, there is some stilted dialog and some interactions/scenes that struggle. Like most of the genre, it is predictable and contains common tropes. This is one perfect summer beach read especially for dog lovers.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Dog Friendly is a sweet, heartwarming read, in some ways like hugging a dog in itself. Victoria Schade has a background as a dog trainer, and her love for dogs shines through the pages of this book.
As such, the best part of the book is that of the heroine, Morgan, with dogs…on multiple fronts. The general premise and theme sees her struggling with burnout while working as a veterinarian, and I appreciated how this was rendered. Seeing her journey as she takes time for herself, taking a vacation and even starting therapy, is life-affirming.
She also simultaneously is dog-sitting for a friend, taking on their aging dog that has some anxiety issues. I really enjoyed seeing the two of them bonding and helping each other on their path to healing.
But unfortunately, this is one of those books that is more “women’s fiction” than romance, and normally I wouldn’t be too bummed, if it didn’t keep happening (and it was properly categorized on NetGalley at least). Nathan lacked real substance for me, and I would have been completely happy if he never showed up and this had been a book solely about Morgan and her journey with the dogs.
This book was fine, but the publisher's marketing and categorization works against it (and while all publishers are playing a role in the blending of romance with women’s fiction/chick lit, Berkley is perhaps the worst offender). With the proper expectations, you might enjoy it more than I did.

I have enjoyed every book I've read by this author. She is a true dog lover and it shows in her writing.
Our main character is a young burned out vet needing to some time to not think about work and just relax. When a scheduled appointment from a from a regular at the vet's office turns into an ocean side vacation how could she say no. After all taking care of their sweet pooch for a summer couldn't be easier, right?
Going here to just relax and walk the dog on Nantucket is all she plans to do. She wants to keep it a secret that she's a vet and disassociate herself with this title for the summer. No vet business for her.
I really loved her the dogs figured so prominently in the book and it was so fun getting to see their personalities shine.
Summer romance ready or not here it comes in the form of a juice guy selling his expensive homemade health juices from a push cart near the beach.
The interaction between the two is dynamic, loved their conversations and how they take the dogs for walks together.
Now there are some tough subjects touched upon here that the author does a great a great job of addressing and sifting through the important parts.
It looks like our main characters may break up over what Morgan discovers about Nathan's past. I kept thinking, give him another chance because he seems like such a nice guy and we all change from our past. You'll have to read it to see if they stay together.
Really enjoyed and recommended!

Publish date June 28,2022.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Morgan is a veterinarian who is struggling with compassion fatigue. She takes a leave from work to spend the summer on Nantucket dog sitting for one of her clients. And while there, she meets Nathan, a surfer who is starting a juice company.

Don't be fooled by the cover, setting, or genre. This is not an escapist romance on an island. It starts from a dark place with major burnout. And we follow a mental health journey toward recovery with continuing conflict.

Similarly, the cute puppy in the story is a leash reactive dog. I so appreciated that the author is skilled with dogs. She explained reactivity so well and makes it clear how important it is to learn about dogs' body language as to whether they are comfortable in a situation. And there's a great celebration of rescue pups.

There was a lot going on in the story, and a whole subplot that I found unnecessary. As a result, the ending felt rushed. With so many issues introduced, it felt too neatly tied up.

3.5 stars rounded up

Dog Friendly by Victoria Schade is a serious look a the life of a burned-out veterinarian. It tackles some tough subjects but in a compassionate way. Set in Nantucket this romance is both emotional and romantic.

Morgan Pearce works in a corporate veterinarian office and is overworked and burned out. When two of her clients ask her to dogsit at their vacation home in Nantucket for their dog, Bernadette, she knows that some rest and relaxation could be the cure she is seeking.

Her time in Nantucket is just what she needed, sunshine, rest, and time at the beach. Plus an interesting entrepreneur, Nathan, makes a nice distraction as well. Morgan decides to foster a dog named Hudson who reminds her why she loves being a veterinarian. She’s starting to heal when she learns that Nathan isn’t what she thought he was, his deception stuns her, and she starts to reevaluate her life’s choices.

With the cover and the blurb, I was expecting a much lighter beach read than what I got. As I said before, Dog Friendly tackles some tough topics and was much deeper than I expected. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just good to know ahead of time. I never knew that being a veterinarian could be such an emotionally draining job. I think in most romances I read, the life of a veterinarian seems so rewarding and gentle. However, in Dog Friendly, we see the darker side of the profession.

I loved the dogs, and I also learned some things about dog behavior and that was super interesting. I can tell the author knows her dogs! I also loved the location. I enjoy books set on Nantucket and the author does an excellent job of describing the island and the town.

I recommend Dog Friendly to anyone who enjoys Women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.