Member Reviews

I enjoyed the plot and steady flow of the book but unfortunately it wasn’t for me. The main characters, especially Jalissa were a HUGE turnoff for me during the entire book because of their constant bickering, jabs, snarky and negativity. She is not someone I would want to hang out or even be friends. I liked that Jalissa and Jeremy had pure and heartfelt purposes in mind when working together to save their community programs, but her personality distracted me from the entire Christian message of the book. I only kept reading it for this review since it was not enjoyable or inspirational for me.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

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Sweet and uplifting

I really loved the themes of forgiveness and trusting in God. Even though this was an enemies-to-lovers read, I really liked it. I enjoyed the side characters and the animals.

This is a standalone, but had cameos from Trinity and Omar from another of Toni Shiloh's books. It was just a fun little spotlight that was explained well enough

Sweet, mild kissing, I'd rate G. I was impressed at how the author handled Jalissa's anxiety.

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I ended up liking this one more than I thought I would, as not only do I dislike the troupe childhood friends to more, I also dislike the troupe childhood nemesis to more as well. But When Toni writes it, it works. And it works well.

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I enjoyed how Toni Shiloh wove together this tale of enemies to lovers. The hurts in each of the main characters' pasts and how they had caused each other to unintentionally hurt others made for a very powerful story. I always appreciate how this author digs deep into how believers should walk out their faith, and this story was no exception. The theme of forgiveness was very poignant and memorable.

I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from NetGalley.

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AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE by Toni Shiloh is a heartwarming and uplifting book. This is my very first time reading a book by this author. I have to say that it was such a joy reading this book. This is Book #7 in the K-9 Companion Series, and this is Toni Shiloh’s contribution to the series.

AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE tells the inspirational love story of Jalissa Tucker and Jeremy Rider. Jalissa oversees the Bluebonnet Animal Shelter and Jeremy is a Firefighter with the Bluebonnet Fire Department. They both see each other again at the town hall meeting as they try and save their various programs for which the funding is being cut. The mayor of Bluebonnet has volunteered Jalissa and Jeremy to work together to raise money to save their programs as well as some other programs that are in jeopardy as well. Jalissa doesn’t really want to work with Jeremy because she has always thought he was her enemy since childhood. As the pair works together, feelings start to become involved. Will Jalissa and Jeremy raise enough money to save their programs? Will Jalissa and Jeremy become a couple? Will Jalissa get over her past hurt and pain to let love in? You will have to read AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE to find out.

What I loved about this book was the message that the author included in the book about forgiveness and healing. The storyline was amazing, and it fit well with the story being told. Jalissa had my heart, and she was my favorite character in the book. The romance was good being that this was an inspirational novel. I felt as if I was in the town of Bluebonnet following Jalissa and Jeremy journey to love.

Overall, I enjoyed reading AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE. It was good for me to read this book because I promised myself that I would read more genres that aren’t in my comfort zone. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s books because she is a new author to me. Make sure to grab your copy of AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE by Toni Shiloh.

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Forced to work together on a fundraising committee, Jalissa Tucker is working to save the animal shelter, while firefighter Jeremy Rider is working to save the teen mentorship program where he volunteers. Will these "enemies" be able to set aside their differences to work for the town's good?

Jalissa has an emotional support dog to help her deal with her anxiety/panic attacks. Shiloh's story gives the reader a better understanding of the role these animals play.

Well done!

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Can two people at odds with each other, work together to save the local animal shelter, and possibly give each other a second chance?

Jalissa and Jeremy find themselves in An Unlikely Alliance, working together to save the place that they are both so passionate about. I liked how Jeremy is strong in his faith, and his passion for helping children. Jalissa loves her job and doesn't want to see the shelter close, so if it means working with her nemesis she will do what it takes. It as fun to see how working together on the project of saving the shelter helped them to see the other person in a new light, as they shared their pasts, and discussed their faith.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, with familiar faces from An Unlikely Alliance, as well as new ones in this stand alone companion novel. I loved how they both had good friends in their lives, as well as how they both work hard to make their community a better place. I liked learning more about emotional support animals and all the ways that Jalissa's dog helped her. A wonderful read for fans of enemies to lovers sweet romance!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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"Forgiveness isn't for the wrongdoer. It's for the wronged. To free them from the oppression of unforgiveness and ensure their heart stays in a state of humility with God."

Jalissa works at the local animal shelter. Besides being a firefighter, Rider also volunteers at SAFE - a place that helps at-risk teens. When they find out that both of their organizations' budgets are facing city cutbacks, they have to work together to raise funds. The only problem? They really do not get along.

Both Jalissa and Rider have experienced hard times. They both need to apply a heavy dose of forgiveness to their lives. Throughout the book, they both are transformed to be more like Jesus.

One thing I always appreciate about this author's books is the fact that she does not shy away from spiritual matters. Prayer is always a key component. This one also focuses on being able to let go of the past.

Those who enjoy pets will love this book. But those who could care less will still appreciate this title. Although it is considered a "K-9" book, I felt like the pets paid a proper role. In fact, one of them was a service companion.

Occasionally some of the details were overly repetitive. Jalissa is harboring bitterness for good reason. But she frequently dwells on the past. I know people can get stuck, but her issues were almost shared too often. That is the only issue that I had.

Overall, this was a beautiful book to read. Race relationships, bullying and anxiety are just a few of the topics tackled. The situations simply made sense. I really enjoyed reading this book which happens to be the sequel for "An Unlikely Proposal." Both Jalissa and Rider were minor characters in that one, so I enjoyed watching them become main characters. Overall rating: 4.8 stars

I did receive a paperback copy of this book in advance. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.

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An Unlikely Alliance is a great summer read. The pages will flew by, and made me chuckle, then sigh.

This is a classic enemies to lovers trope. Jalissa dislikes Rider because he cracks too many jokes when she thinks could be serious. Rider dislikes Jalissa because she’s often sharp with him. What he doesn’t know is that her father died on the job when another firefighter failed to follow instructions. And Rider is a firefighter.

But when the town programs that they both help with fall under threat, the two are thrown together and must work to raise enough funding to save both. Animosity quickly gives way to an uneasy truce. And then a tentative friendship begins. I enjoyed watching this develop and edge toward something more until a bombshell rips their relationship apart.

I think what I enjoyed most about An Unlikely Alliance, is the way both characters had to grow through give and take, and listening to a different point of view. Jalissa didn’t expect anyone else to look out for her, but Rider, a man she finds far too laid back, also has a caring side with an eye for detail. And in turn, Rider learns to open up to Jalissa, a woman he found too prickly to ever confide in.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good, sweet romance.

I received a copy from NetGalley, the opinions are my own,

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Highly emotional goodness! With book seven in the K-9 Companions series Toni Shiloh brings an inspirational opposites attract to life in AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE and I wholeheartedly enjoyed it! The characters were complex and emotions were high throughout the storyline.

Jalissa is one of those characters who almost makes it easy to dislike her with her stout venom against a guy like Jeremy, but uncovering the depth of her past trauma makes it easy to forgive and see where her emotions come from. I didn't like how she treated him for a good part of the book, but I understood it and enjoyed watching her overcome her judgements and truly heal her heart.

Jeremy is simply a sweetheart. He's good, he's wholesome, and he's forgiving. There wasn't a thing to dislike about this man.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys an inspirational romance filled with love, laughter and healing.

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This is a Christian contemporary romance
With a couple who had no intention to give love a chance
They were enemies first, with snark and retorts, too
But though they fought it love always shone through.

When funding is cut for causes they hold support
The mayor challenges them to work together, so they ought,
But can they collaborate successfully or is it too late
With the animal rescue and teens be left to their fate?

A story where hurts from the past influence now
Can they put the past away somehow?
Jessica struggles to cope with stress but her K-9 Flo
Is there to help and always seems to know.

A heartwarming story with God at the heart
With forgiveness, acceptance and romance playing their part.
Working together, bringing barriers down
Will benefit them both - and the folk from the town!

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review

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Jalissa Tucker and Jeremy Rider have to put their convictions where their hearts are. And, they have to work together to help two very important programs in their town or lose them. Even though they absolutely cannot stand one another. That makes this a fun read to see how they can pull of the fundraising to save a program for teens that is important to Jeremy and the shelter that helps animals where Jalissa works.
There are some heavy issues each of the main characters are dealing with. They are believable and pertinent to contemporary life in a world with bullies and devastating losses.
Anxiety and panic attacks are horrendous. It is hard to think straight when you feel like you are crawling out of your own skin and your heart will explode. I appreciate how author Toni Shiloh describes the scary experience. Fear of the possibility if things including disaster or loss, is a powerful thing. It is something I have lived with along with the feelings from Jeremy's past and the mean character of fellow students in high school. She has done an excellent job.
I liked this book and want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy. This is my own personal opinion. It is heart touching.
Plus, there are dogs! I love dogs. It is a blessing that there are support animals, medication, counselors and various ways to get help with panic or anxiety. You do not have to live with it on your own.

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This is a Clean Romance, and this is the 7th book in the K-9 Companions series. I have read and reviewed all the other books in this series but the second book, and I think this book can be read as a standalone without any problems. The characters in this book were good, but I really wanted them to talk to each other more. I felt there was this weird dance the main characters were doing because they had judged each other without talking to each other. This is a cute story, but I just wanted more from it. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Love Inspired) or author (Toni Shiloh) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

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I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

At first I had a hard time getting into this book with Jalissa’s attitude but I am very glad I stuck with it until the end. This was such a great story of love and forgiveness.

Jeremy and Jalissa worked through a lot of issues and grew in friendship and then love.

This is a book I would definitely recommend.

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My blurb…
Jalissa runs an animal shelter. The mayor appoints Jeremy, a firefighter, with her to raise money for the shelter and a teen center, where Jeremy volunteers, or both will close. The problem is … she can’t stand Jeremy. Will her emotional support dog, Flo, keep her anxiety low so that they are successful?

My review …
When I read the synopsis, I was intrigued. Jalissa has an emotional support dog; I have an emotional support dog. One doesn’t find many novels that involve an ESA. The description didn’t convey how much anger and anxiety she had. I could not identify with her and frankly, didn’t like her. I felt for her but didn’t like her. Fortunately, she mellows toward the end.

Characters are a key component of any novel. I have already conveyed my thoughts on Jalissa. Jeffery has his own issues and has developed a way to deal with them through a smile and jokes. Jalissa finds that annoying and after he is described the SAME way multiple times by the author — I begin to find him aggravating too. There are other supportive characters, but other than sweet Flo (the dog), I don’t remember most of them.

I wanted to like this book but struggled to finish it. Overuse of the same words or phrases. One in particular–SMIRK. Jeremy SMIRKED. The mayor SMIRKED. He wanted to SMIRK. And that’s only within several pages of the first Chapter. The definition of a *smirk* is a “smile in an irritatingly smug, conceited, or silly way“. No one smiles or at least it feels like it. They smirk throughout the book. Another word overused was snark.

Another major problem was TOO MANY plot ideas involving Jalissa. All are good ideas but dumped on one character weakens each idea. Because this is an ARC review, I cannot list them other than the one stated in the description.

I feel the author truly wanted to write a story about how an emotional support animal can truly help a person who needs that support. But Jalissa’s anxiety and anger issues needed more than just Flo. She *still* needed to be in counseling. She had been in the past and given some breathing “tools” but she was in need of more help and to learn to lay that anger aside (which always fueled her anxiety). Again, I found this a weakness in the story.

The lack of research — each person in the animal shelter must use a hand sanitizer before touching a dog or a cat. My dog sneezes his little head off if sanitizer comes even close to him. Not only is it unpalatable to pets, hand sanitizer is toxic! There is NO WAY they would be using hand sanitizer. Research!

For all the above reasons … Rating: 2 stars.

I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of An Unlikely Alliance via NetGalley from the publisher, HARLEQUIN – Romance (U.S. & Canada), Love Inspired. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#AnUnlikelyAlliance #NetGalley

Title: An Unlikely Alliance: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance
Series: K-9 Companions, #7
Author: Toni Shiloh
Genre: Christian
Publisher: HARLEQUIN – Romance (U.S. & Canada), Love Inspired
Release Date: 28 Jun 2022
Format: Kindle (read)
Pages: 368
Source: NetGalley
Cover: The dog is Flo, the service dog for Jalissa who is not the woman pictured. Jalissa is an unhappy, angry woman. Maybe it conveys the end.

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