Member Reviews
Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book! I really enjoyed it—it was a quick and easy read. I easily connected with the characters, and I loved how the friendships within the group developed throughout the book. I adored their support for one another and the light-hearted humour they constantly shared.
I unfortunately couldn't get into this one, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it to someone else!
Read in less than 24 hours. Page turning and fun, steamy at bits. I really enjoyed it all, except perhaps the long bits about golf and paintball that might have been too specific about the games and, for someone with no knowledge of those sports, a bit boring. BUT I it was a great summer read, all that characters had depths and distint voices.
Must love dogs vibes with a WLW grumpy/sunshine twist. This was cute and enjoyable. A cozy romantic read for lovers of furry four legged friends.
Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review! Absolutely perfect, characters you can’t help but love, a fast-paced and flawless rom-com. Dani and Kara have great chemistry, they have this love-hate relationship, which totally works. I cannot recommend enough, plus- sapphics, puppies and kittens! What’s not to love.
A resounding 5 stars from me!! I am pretty critical of romance novels but this one checked all of the boxes! Sapphic and witty with great chemistry between Dani and Kara! I was here for their story. Highly recommend! Thank you NetGalley!
Fun book. The characters were super likable. I am usually not a fan of cheater stories but this one wasn’t as cheaty as most (I know that doesn’t make sense but it wasn’t). I get it. Not everyone is single when they meet that someone special. Things happen. You break things off with the first one before moving on to the next one. Which is what we have here mostly.
I do wish there was more made of the final reveal that these two knew each other as kids. It almost felt like the author forgot this minor plot point and hurried to slap it in there at the end.
Definitely a worthwhile read and it brings on all the good feels.
Thanks go out to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This was a bit too juvenile. I got tired of both the main characters trying to one up each other with the dares. It reminded me too much of middle school kids. Hence, I was not for me. having said this, I would recommend as it might appeal to someone else.
This story centers around Danielle and Kara.
Danielle is in her residency and lives with her fiance (who is also in residency), Will. One day, Will brings home a dog whom he wants them to rescue. Danielle has no idea of how to take care of dog, much less train one. She has a cat, Jinx, and he is not thrilled about the new addition.
Danielle finds out about Kara's dog kennel and her day care program. They will come and pick the dog up and bring him back. Perfect solution, right? However, from day one, the women do not like each other. Kara thinks Danielle is uppity and snobish and Danielle thinks Kara is rude.
However, the women grow accustomed to each other's attitude and they each notice that they are thinking about (and dreaming about!) the other. Sparks fly and a kiss ensues much to the others surprise.
What will they do with the fiance in the picture?
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One of the funniest books I've read - ever! I don't think I've ever laughed as much when reading a book. There's a few moments where I was laughing so hard I was crying so I had a lot of fun while reading 😂 My wife thought I was completely bonkers though 🙈
Although Dani is engaged to Will, she falls into instant attraction with Kara. The chemistry between them leaps off the page, and although this book features a tad bit of cheating, I couldn't help but want them together.
Highly recommend if you're looking for a sapphic romance that will also make you LOL. 😊
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
This was just fine, nothing special within the genre of queer romance. It actually kind of pissed me off that they let the main characters go on for so long with one cheating on her fiancée.
Thank you to Net Galley and Bella Books for an ARC of this novel in exchange of an honest review.
OK, I'm only at 34% of the book, where Kara, the forever dog woman, takes home 2 little kittens and I'm smiling. Already I just love this book and these characters. More to come... I'm back after finishing this novel. Everything I wrote so far I feel but... OK, here's the good stuff. I loved the characters in this book. Not just our main characters Dani and Kara but most of the secondary characters as well. Zoey had me laughing out loud several times. Friends are featured big time in this book. In fact family is almost non existent except for 3 very short conversations between Dani and her mother. We know that Kara's mom died several years ago but there is no mention of a father or siblings or anything and that is fine. I loved all the interplay between the friends in this book. OK, the bad.... it's not a lot but Will. Will is supposed to be her fiance but we only know that because we are told that. There are few scenes with him and it's the outings where he is grouped with the other minor male characters. I think in the entirety of the novel he speaks around 5 sentences. Whenever Dani is in their home he is not. There is only one time in the whole book that we are told they had sex. He is said to be one of her best friends but there is no evidence of that. Most of the lesbian romances that I read have a more serious tone to them. As a comparison I would say they are like a home cooked meal and this book is more of a lesbian romantic comedy, or a desert. Because of that distinction the lack of Will being seen can be overlooked. One is not better than the other, just different. This book had a lighter tone to it and that's perfectly fine. And.... what Kara discovers at the end of the book was like a cherry on top of the dessert. I do recommend this book and give it 4 ½ stars.
Kara Britton, owner, operator of ‘Emily’s Tails for Trails Pet Resort’. After inheriting some land from her grandmother, Kara, with a business degree in hand, decides to use the ten acre farm as a ‘dog kennel and day care’. She loves her career choice but running the dog resort isn’t an easy job and leaves not much time for dating.
Dani Clarks is a surgeon, working along with her family of doctors. She knew from an early age she too would become a doctor, family tradition.
Now her mother wants to manage Dani’s wedding to her fiance Will but Dani’s isn’t in any hurry.
Then Will comes home with a rescue dog, a dog he doesn’t have time for, leaving most of his care to Dana who doesn’t have time for either. Besides, she already has a cat, Jinx. When her friend’s tell her about Kara’s doggie day care she quickly calls to arrange for the dog to be picked up each day.
Needless to say there are some waves with Dani when Kara realizes she hasn’t even given the dog a name. Sparks fly from the start making this a fun, fast paced story with great characters, both main and supporting. A very, very good read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This was just fine, nothing special within the genre of queer romance. It actually kind of pissed me off that they let the main characters go on for so long with one cheating on her fiancee. But I liked them enough to want to finish.
This was a really good romantic comedy. This story had me laughing from beginning to the end, at one point I had to stop reading because I laughed so much. But I could not stop reading for long. The relationship between Danielle and Kara was a slow burn enemies to lovers relationship. I loved the addition of the animals to the plot this made the book even more enjoyable. The supporting characters were well written and helped make this an even more interesting read. This was my first time reading this author, but it won't be my last. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's coming next from this author.
3.5, and I really debated on rounding it up. I love stories that center animals, even more so when it's Sapphic. The beginning was a little clunky, and I didn’t understand why Kara would act the way she did to a perspective client. There were also a couple tropes I really am not a fan of.
That said, I love the fun banter between the two leading ladies and how supportive their friends are. I like the way the story ended for everyone.
Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
It has often been said that the second book is the hardest to write and for that, I would say Lori G. Matthews made this an absolute winner. The entertainment value alone made I Dare You To Love Me a solid 5 stars in my opinion. The few hours was deservedly well spent and I know where I’m heading when I need a lift in my spirits.
The enemies to lovers trope never gets old and when you also throw a fiancé and a meddling bunch of (matchmaking) friends into the mix; there’s drama, sharp and witty verbal sparring, sneaky subconsciousness, sex dreams, plenty of crazy and hilarious scenarios and several wacko pets. And that’s not all, between the humour there’s tenderness too. The book amused me to no end and even as someone who does not ship characters, I’ll say, Kardi forever! On to the next!
I just reviewed I Dare You To Love Me by Lori G. Matthews. Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC.
3.5 and I really debated about rounding up to 4, I decided not to do so because although there were lots of lines and phrasing I loved, I was thinking too hard about it. A true 3.5 tho and a good one at that!
Good start. I enjoyed the mains meeting. However one main is in a relationship and it's with a man.... This relationship is as opposite to bells and whistles romance as you can get.
I'm enjoying the book, there are some great lines and the writer does some great juxtaposition of words and sentences. However the barrier to the mains is still the fiancé (who is definitely in the friend rather than lover zone) but 63% in with over an hour and a quarter reading to go, I'm getting a bit impatient for the situation to be dealt with. I like that the the fiancé is not painted as a baddy and actually as much a victim of parental ideas as our heroine. I enjoyed it and apart from the above mentioned impatience at the fiancé situation feel it was well paced. There is a plot bomb goes off late in the book and tension is well drawn from that.
This enemies to friends to lovers romantic comedy by Lori G. Matthews was simply spectacular. Danielle (Dani) Clark is a surgical resident at a hospital in Seattle. Dani dreamed of becoming an artist, but is following in the expected path of her parents who are both in the medical field. She is also following the expected path of marrying her high school best friend, Will. Will is in the medical field and her parents feel that they are suited for each other. Dani and Will need to set their wedding date soon.
One day Will brings home a rescue dog and Dani is less than thrilled. The dog slowly starts to chew away at their furniture, their possessions, and their house. Kara Britton, owns a local kennel. and one of Dani's friends suggests Kara's business for doggie daycare and training.
Kara comes by Dani and Will's stately mansion to pick up the dog and Dani and Kara immediately clash. Dani can't even remember the dog's name and Kara thinks she isn't a good pet owner. The book details the time that Dani and Kara spend together over the next couple of months as they move from enemies to friends and then more.
The writing by Lori G. Matthews flowed effortlessly along with laugh out loud comedy, flirting, and bickering between the two women. The friends of Kara and Dani including Zoey and Jen and Val and Jesmyn, played interesting roles and provided comedic support. Zoey pulled out a bag of popcorn and watched along whenever there was an interesting turn of events with her friends. Definitely a 5 star book.
I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you enjoy funny bordering on farcical romance this is the book for you. Dani is a busy surgical resident engaged to a life long best friend Will. She is a cat person who is adjusting to the rescue dog Will brings home. Doggie daycare owner Kara pushes Dani’s buttons and vise versa when ever they meet. Their bickering and bantering is all too entertaining to me and their friends. Bring on the popcorn. I’m giggling every time Dani calls her Karen. The various antics of the cats and dogs is amusing too. Of course their attraction sizzles in the undercurrents. Throw in some healthy competition and dares and you know there is going to be kissing and more.
I really don’t like cheating (emotional or physical) in books but Will is so much in the friend zone I’m not marking it down for that. I wish there were more real conversations between the two in addition to the banter. I really enjoyed the authors first book, (CassiNova, Nov 2020), which was funny but had more emotional depth. But this ending got to me and I’m going to believe Kara, Dani and the cats and dogs all have a HEA.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 Stars)