This is a cute little rom-com, perfect for readers who enjoy a second chance romance with a forced proximity/only-one-bed trope, supported by a decidedly dramatic doggo.

I hadn't read either of the earlier two books from the series, but this works as a standalone. I did find that the husky antics took precedence over the development of the romance between August & Keaton. More development took place between Keaton & the husky, Molly, that would have benefit the development of his relationship with August.

August was an enjoyable FMC. She's strong and determined.

"You deserve someone who's going to give you the world."
"No." She turned, fire in her eyes and her face shining with sincerity. "I can get the world myself, Keaton. But I want someone who's going to stand with me when I do."

While it was a second-chance of their childhood pining for one another, their connection was a bit too quick for my liking because both of them come with a lot of baggage and it wrapped up too neatly. But otherwise, this was a lovely (if somewhat predictable) read.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Keaton is a shark on Wall Street but a pushover when it comes to his sister. He'd do anything for her, even take her dog to a competition in upstate New York when she has an MS flair-up.

I dog he hates.

A dog who hates him.

The only way he's going to survive is with the help of August, his sister's best friend. Years ago, he was in love with August, but she rejected him and he later happily married another woman. Since his wife's death, he's sworn off romance, a vow that will be tested on this trip.

Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen was cute, funny, and made me want to adopt a husky. August and Keaton played off each other well. They'd both kept each other at arm's length for years as a form of self-preservation, but when that dam breaks, it floods their entire lives.

It takes a while for these two to admit to their true feelings. Keaton of course has been mourning his wife, and August has been on one disaster of a date after another. Neither of them are expecting a happily-ever-after which is exactly why their chemistry is so explosive.

I would have liked to see a few more flashbacks to solidify the fact that they both had feelings for each other. I'm a sucker for those glimpses of the past, and they really help the reader become invested in the couple.

I give this book 4 stars. It was a quick read full of laughs, pining, and found family!

Favorite quote:

“You deserve someone who’s going to give you the world.” “No.” She turned, fire in her eyes and her face shining with sincerity. “I can get the world myself, Keaton. But I want someone who’s going to stand with me when I do.”

Thank you, NetGalley and Stefanie London, for the chance to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Definitely my FAVORITE in the Paws in the city series!! I absolutely loved this best friend's older brother, grumpy/sunshine romance that features August, a fierce and feisty unapologetically fat dog whisperer who's looking for love in NYC.

When her best friend Leah's MS flares, August agrees to work together with her long time crush Keaton. A workaholic and widower, Keaton is not looking for love but can't resist helping his sister even when it involves traveling to compete in a canine talent contest with his sister's diva husky who he swears hates him.

This was full of forced proximity goodness, only one bed, spicy open door scenes, emotional depth, great disability rep, a diva dog and a fantastic grand gesture ending. I also really enjoyed the audio narration by Jennifer Jill Araya. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Ladies and gentlemen, dog lovers of all ages, and fellow enthusiasts of canine capers, I present to you the latest addition to the "Paws in the City" series: "Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen"! 🐾

In this delightful series, London has once again woven a heartwarming tale of love and laughter, expertly incorporating the beloved "Frenemies (its complicated)-to-Lovers" trope. Though complicated from the start, the romance between Keaton and August brims with a simmering connection that has the potential to rewrite their futures. With a sweet, lighthearted atmosphere, just the right amount of drama, and the irresistible charm of a sassy husky named Molly, this book proves to be an absolute joy from start to finish.

Hold your "paws," folks, because here comes Molly, the sassy husky, with a style all her own!

I was head-over-heels for Molly , but someone needs to give Keaton a "pet talk" on how to treat his furry co-star! 🐾 I wanted more bonding moments between them, but it felt like he needed a "howl of awakening" to realize how to be loveable enough to Molly. I craved more serious lovey-dovey moments between Keaton and Molly, like endless belly rubs for Molly, the husky! Then the competition took the story in a different direction, and we were left howling for more puppy love! 🐾💕

The presence of Molly, the hilarious and lovable husky, brought endless joy to the story. Even non-dog lovers will find themselves captivated by her antics and her role in pushing Keaton and August closer together. Pets can truly work wonders in uniting hearts, and Molly was the catalyst for a heartwarming and delightful journey.
Keaton, haunted by his wife's passing, had shut the door to his heart, while August, seeking her "forever," carried deep-seated wounds from her past. Keaton's struggle from a stoic career-oriented man to a person willing to open his heart is beautifully portrayed, and August's journey to break free from the shadows of her past is genuinely touching.

Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen is an enchanting and heartwarming journey that reminds us of the power of furry friends who bring light into our lives. The ending leaves readers with a smile on their faces.
I give this tail-wagging tale a solid 3-star read! It's all about my love for Molly, wishing for more Molly-Keaton moments, and hoping for a "petastic" middle-story bond! 🌟 But hey, in the end, Keaton finally got the message, and Molly got her "happily ever after" with her human companion! 🎉

So, dear friends, grab your comfiest spot on the couch, snuggle up with your furry companions, and get ready to dive into "Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen." Because once you're immersed in this charming world of wagging tails and untamed hearts, you won't stop reading until the last page

Thanks to Canary Street Press for my advanced copy of Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen!

I really enjoyed the first two books in the Paws in the City series by Stefanie London and this one was just as fun and adorable!

August is a top dog groomer in Manhattan and knows what she wants in life and when she was in college she had a crush on her BFFs brother Keaton. Keaton's an emotionally closed-off widower who will do anything for family. So when his sister get sick and can't attend the weekend-long pet talent competition to help increase her social media presence she asks her brother to go in her place and invites her bestie August to help. Of course, when they get to the competition there is only 1 bed....

This was so fun to read. I loved Molly the husky. The tension between August and Keaton is wonderful and it was fun to see their chemistry and look at their earlier friendship and their history.

While this is the third book, it can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the first two to learn more about the Paws in the City agency and how August, Isla and Scout all became friends. Plus, a cute romance series with adorable dogs. Yes, please!

In the newest addition to the "Paws in the City" series Leah who is battling an MS flare up can’t take her pampered pooch Molly to a dog talent competition. Winning the competition could lead to big things for Leah’s YouTube channel and bring lots of exposure. Keaton, her brother, steps in to help even though Molly can’t seem to stand him or listen to him.

Keaton isn’t alone though Leah’s best friend and local Dog Whisperer, August is along for the ride. While she can’t be the lead since she already has connection to the hosts of the events she is trying to help Keaton and Molly bond enough to stay in the competition.

With them sharing a room and a bed sparks are bound to fly right? Though the term it’s complicated is perfect for these two!

The chemistry with these two was tense but when they finally gave in it was explosive! I love how dedicated Keaton was to his family even though he was a little obsessed with work. They had great banter and while their journey wasn’t easy it it was worth it!

August is a dog groomer extraordinaire, she has worked really hard to build her business and reputation. She is ready to find her partner in life, but the dating apps have not been fruitful and she wants someone to appreciate her as she is. Keaton is her best friend Leah's brother, he is a success on wall street and she has harboured a crush on him since they were teenagers. They had an almost moment years ago but he went on to marry a woman, and ended up widowed. He has not been in a place to ever fall in love again, and keeps everyone at a distance even though he has never forgotten about his attraction to August. They both end up in upstate new york together entering Leah's dog in a competition, where it'll be hard to escape the feelings they both have been bottling up for years.

DOGS, friends to lovers, best friends brother, and one bed trope. I always have such a fun time with the books in this series and this one was no exception.

Keaton's sister plans to enter her dog, Molly, in a competition but falls ill. Keaton steps in, along with dog groomer August. August has crushed on Keaton since she was a teenager, but he became closed off to love after the death of his wife. Will the time spent together rekindle their old feelings?

This is a beautiful, deeply emotional rom com. Drama queen Molly is hilarious. August and Keaton banter gently with one another, the chemistry between them clear. Yet beneath the surface, Keaton is traumatized by the loss of his wife. August is patient with him, recognizing that he may not be able to commit to her. It's lovely to see them grow together.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

3.5 stars

I liked the characters in this story and the chemistry in the romance, though it took a bit to get into the meat of the plot

Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen is an enchanting slow-burn romance that is both humorous and heartwarming. This delightful tale introduces us to a captivating cast of characters, accompanied by a diva dog who effortlessly captured my affection.

“Love, family, connection” pretty much sums up this story which I enjoyed. It was not a favorite, but it ended up being a satisfying read. Protagonists are August, a dog groomer who owns her own business and Keaton, brother of August’s best friend, Leah, who has MS. Keaton has made it big on Wall Street, and takes care of his Mother and Sister. The story takes place during a “friendly” dog competition that Leah was supposed to go to, but a MS flare up gives Keaton and August a forced proximity at the dog competition. Alls well that ends with an HEA.I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is a 3 1/2 stars for me as I enjoyed the story, but felt very little connection to the characters.

Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen was an entertaining read with a surprising heart I wasn't quite expecting. Molly, the Siberian Husky with a penchant for drama and stubbornness, was definitely the source of the comedy in this delightful rom-com. However, prepare your hearts for August and Keaton's struggles to find their HEA. As the book states, August is the product of parents who are "keeping up with the Joneses." Although wildly successful in her chosen career, August never measures up for them. She finds family with her best friend Leah, the sister of Keaton, who August has been in love with since she was a teenager. Keaton, a widower for many years, is closed off and chasing the wrong kind of success, which he knows down inside. This combo leads Keaton to be a very unhappy man who won't admit he's unhappy. A series of circumstances send August, Keaton, and Molly off for the weekend to compete in a dog competition. The weekend antics, discussions, passionate embraces, and hijinx amongst the variety of people at the competition makes for an entertaining read. I liked how it wasn't easy for both of these characters to reach their happiness with each other. Both had to do some learning and growing and realizing their paths needed to change. It was an enjoyable read, and I recommend it if you're looking for a sweet rom-com.

CONFESSIONS OF A DRAMA QUEEN – Stefanie London
Paws in the City, Book 3
Canary Street Press
ISBN: 978-1-335-49821-2
August 1, 2023
Romantic Comedy

Upstate New York – Present Day

August Merriweather is known as Manhattan’s Dog Whisperer as she is a high in demand pet groomer. Her best friend, Leah, has MS and a gorgeous husky named Molly. Leah has the bright idea to enter Molly into an animal actor contest, but just before she is due to leave for the competition in upstate New York, her MS acts up. She asks her brother, Keaton Sax, and August to take Molly to the competition, which will take place over several days. Both are devoted to Leah and will do anything for her, even if the two do not get along personally and Molly the dog doesn’t like Keaton. When Keaton and August arrive late at night at the retreat where it’s being held, they discover that they will be sharing the same cabin—with one bed.

August has been attracted to Keaton for years, but he rejected her and instead, married another woman. He’s now widowed and makes it clear that he never plans to marry again. His relationship with August is stilted at best, so how can they possibly share the same cabin? But they are there for Leah’s sake, so they carry on, even as an attraction soon develops between them. However, this attraction can lead them nowhere because Keaton is not looking for a committed relationship and rarely dates. August, on the other hand, wants to find love and a ring on her finger.

August has had the worst luck when it comes to dating. She uses online dating sites, but the men have been awful. Turns out her latest date is someone Keaton used to work with, and he has bad news for her when he finds out. The man was an opportunist and Keaton can’t see how he hasn’t changed, even when it comes to dating women. Of course, once he gives August his advice on the man, her feathers are ruffled. Is he trying to ruin her love life, and if so, why? Even as they argue over this issue, they participate in the competition. Molly proves to be a diva and it drives Keaton nuts. During their efforts to work with the dog, Keaton and August realize that their attraction can’t be denied and decide to have sex. Will this be a one-time fling, or can they expand on their feelings once they return to New York City?

Keaton is one of Wall Street’s hottest capitalists, but he is currently at odds with his employer, a man he thinks of as a father. His company wants to buy another company and plans to use dirt to reduce the selling price. Keaton feels guilty for being part of the dirty tricks campaign, but his boss won’t listen to him. During his time spent with August and Molly, he is dealing with his conscience. Meanwhile, August isn’t happy that he is badmouthing her newest date and accuses him of deliberately sabotaging her love life. Is she right, or is there more to it than they both realize?

There are plenty of laugh-out antics in CONFESSIONS OF A DRAMA QUEEN. The title refers to the dog, Molly, who is as uppity as one can get. The dog must cooperate with Keaton in the contest, but he is having bad luck so far. All the while, Keaton and August are dealing with their feelings for each other. By the time the contest is over, will Molly be the winner, and will our couple be in love? You can find out the answer by grabbing a copy of CONFESSIONS OF A DRAMA QUEEN.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

First thought: This is such a cute story with all my favorite tropes plus a husky that brings her own flare to the story. A must read for all romance lovers!

August is a spitfire take no prisoners force of nature who is everyone’s friend and tells you how it is. She grew up with parents who wanted her to be like them and climb the social ladders of NYC. But she had no interest and she forged her own path and owns a thriving groomer business with an impressive client list. One thing August is missing is someone to share her life with, she’s lonely and she’s had nothing but bad luck in the dating world. She’s been in love once with Keaton but she was scared and didn’t risk it and now she holds that regret still over 10 years later.

Keaton is a widower that has closed his heart to love and not willing to take risks of getting close and experiencing loss again. He threw himself into work at his firm to get to the top but he’s questioning what he has to sacrifice to get there. He has a handful of people he lets into his world: his mom, sister, his sister’s dramatic husky Molly and his sisters best friend August. When he was younger he was actually secretly in love August one night in college he kissed her but she didn’t return the kiss, so he moved on and he fell in love with his wife. That ended tragically with her passing and now ten years later having August in his sites his heart is feeling things again.

Meet Molly the dramatic husky who hates baths and has a lot of opinions about Keaton. Her owner Keaton sister entered her in a competition but due to a MS flare up can not take her. Keaton will do anything for his sister so he agrees to take her place even though the dog hates him. He enlists the help of August and they take Molly on a long weekend retreat to compete. Little do they know they will have to work as a team, share a room, face a-lot of bumps and history before the weekend is over.

If you like any of these tropes this books for you!
This books releases on August 1st and you won’t want to miss it.

Tropes:
Slow burn
Childhood crush
Best Friends Brother
Close Proximity
One Bed

Such a fun read! This book has me laughing and felt like I was in the story. I didn't want the book to end. So.much fun to read!!!

Molly had me cracking up from the beginning. Even though she doesn’t actually say anything (she is a dog after all) I could easily picture the expressions crossing her face. I think she secretly had an agenda to get Keaton and August together much her owner, Leah. I do feel like Molly’s snark that I loved in the beginning fizzled out about 3/4 through.

Keaton was my favorite human character. He will do anything for his sister including standing in for her at a dog competition while Leah recovers from a MS flare-up. He works at a job he doesn’t love to make sure his mom and sister are taken care of.

Leah tried to get her best friend, August, and Keaton together. Leah and August are not bad characters but there’s no as much growth in them vs what we see in Keaton.

I enjoyed all the scenes where Keaton and August’s relationship grow due to them working with Molly to win the competition but when Molly isn’t in the picture it’s meh for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen. Overall I enjoyed reading.

The entire Paws in the City series is phenomenal. Thank you Stefanie London for this dog-obsessed, feel-good, swoon-worthy third book.
This book follows August (a side character from the other two books) and her journey to find love. She's using a matchmaker (yikes), and not realizing that there's love right in front of her - and has been for years. A friendly canine social media competition forces feelings to be confessed and an unlikely friendship between a man and his (sister's) dog.
This book is a slow burn with all of the best tropes:

Childhood friends to lovers
Forced proximity
ONE BED!!! (are you convinced yet?)
Best friend's brother

You'll have a hard time putting this one down. It's a spicy happily ever after that makes you smile and believe in love no matter what.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen releases 8/1/23!

August Merriwether is the dog groomer to the Manhattan elite. Her business is booming, but per personal life is not. Her friends are all pairing up and she seems to only attract jerks on the dating apps. She has decided to go to a professional Matchmaker, but even these men don’t measure up to her first crush, Keaton Sax. Keaton is August’s best friend’s Leah’s brother. Keaton is a widower who has shut off everything in his life except his work and family. He is known as the “Wall Street Whiz Kid,” but has been questioning the tactics used by his firm. When his sister has an MS flare up, she asks him to take her Husky to an animal social media influencer competition. Since Keaton and her Husky Molly aren’t on the best of terms, he asks August to help him out. When they get to the location, of course, there is only one room with one bed. This is a really touching story, and both protagonists are good, likable people. While Keaton appears to be “grumpy,” he is a good person who really loves his family, and is terrified of opening his heart up after the death of his wife. Overall, this is a really nice way to end this series. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for a DRC of this title.

Having loved the first two books in this series, I was so excited to get the opportunity to review Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen. Though not quite as angsty as I thought it would be from the build up in the other two books, I still really enjoyed reading this second-chance romance, as August and Keaton find their way back to each other after life has taken them in opposite directions. A gentle, heartwarming story that can stand on its own but may be enriched by also reading the other books in the series.

While it is part of a series this can be its own standalone truly. This story is about Mayweather (i space her first name) and it starts with the misadventures of online dating which are funny. She is a dog walker/groomer and one of the best in the city but she has no human companion she loves as much as the pups. For me the relationship didnt work it was very instalove and good lord does it mention he isnt over the loss of his wife a million times. I almost wish they had just maintained a friendship or the author input some 10 years later moment to make it feel more real. It was okay for me.