Perfect holiday read that will keep you entertained. Recue dogs, family, and finding your place with great characters and writing.

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs is a delightful Christmas story. First and foremost I love Susan Wiggs! I read every volume of the Lakeside series. First and Foremost you should know that I love dogs and I have a soft spot for rescues. To those of us who love dogs and own dogs you will understand when I say there is that special bond between the furry child and their humans. Dogs are always there for us unconditionally even when our human counterparts are not.

That being said it was delightful to find myself back in Avalon. While this book could be considered another in the Lakeside series it is definitely a stand alone. You will understand immediately what is going on and who is who. Susan Wiggs has a knack for bringing you into her fold no matter which book you pick up.

One of the things I love about Susan Wiggs writing is her memorable characters. They are complicated and complex, likable and most importantly relatable. The premise of the story is that the main character works for a rescue organization for dogs. She is wrangled into helping transport a truck load of dogs for Christmas delivery in upstate New York. Things don’t go as planned. (Do they ever?)

The main character, Brenda, meets a single dad who is an EMT. He literally comes to the rescue. He also is the happy recipient of one of the transport dogs. Sparks start flying between the main characters. Not giving away the rest of the story, you will have to read it.

Please be sure to read the Author’s Note at the end. Ms. Wiggs gives information on rescue organizations and transport considerations. She is also giving a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book to support PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap which is her local rescue organization. What a wonderful thing to do!

I highly recommend this memorable, entertaining, feel-good book. Can’t wait to see what Ms. Wiggs has in store for us next.

I would like to thank William Morrow, Susan Wiggs and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was easily drawn into and absolutely fell in love with The Twelve Dogs of Christmas. It should also be noted that I had a NetGalley ARC and went back to purchase a copy for my own personal re-read Christmas Romance Stories every year collection. So, that alone should tell you how much fun I had with Brenda, Adam, little doggie Tim, and a whole bunch of pups in this heartwarming, fun Christmas Romance that also highlights some very strong emotions for those who just don’t understand (or want to ignore) the magic of Christmas.

I feel that the Cover Description (Blurb) goes into enough detail to capture your imagination that I don’t need to add much to that. I firmly believe that the fact that I chose to purchase it in addition to having an ARC (no cost to me beyond an honest review) says a lot about my love of this story.

I loved both Brenda and Adam for different reasons. Brenda for what she’s gone through in the past year and the strides she’s made in her own recovery from that mess. But also her vulnerabilities that go far beyond her recent divorce. She’s a very relatable, understandable character, and watching the magic of Christmas take hold in her heart (as well as allowing love to find a home there as well) made her so realistic and believable to me. Adam and his son I just simply adored. Yes, he has a very emotional post-divorce with his ex over shared custody of their son – but beyond that, he is also a man who, while open to finding love again, also has some issues that need to be faced as well. Together, they make a believable couple, realistic enough that I was completely emotionally engaged in their story.

And, not to mention the amazing secondary characters we meet, along with some adorable, personable, and lovable dogs who are finding their own unique forever home. The Twelve Dogs of Christmas simply has everything I want and need in a Christmas Romance (or any Romance for that matter). I would highly recommend this story to any reader who loves a good love story, has a heart for the magic of Christmas, and adores any story with dogs involved as individual characters themselves. I loved this one so much!

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.* **Plus, I purchased my own personal copy**

If you're a dog lover put this sweet Christmas book about a transport of rescue dogs headed to a cute upstate New York town from Houston and the unexpected extra time that helps one dog rescue volunteer come to love Christmas again.

This was a cute and fun story about Brenda who after a divorce has put her life back together and spends time volunteering with a dog rescue organization. She's stuck in Avalon longer than she anticipates and becomes friendly with local paramedic Adam. The town loves Christmas so will she fall in love with more than just the holidays?

I liked the small town and the characters who lived there and all of the pups! It was a sweet romance and a quick read! It will put you in the Christmas mood!

Since her father died on Christmas day when she was a child, Brenda doesn't like Christmas. The topper was finding out on Christmas Eve that her husband was cheating on her. Now divorced, her friend Dolly convinces her to leave Houston and travel to New York to transport twelve dogs to families in time for Christmas. Brenda ends up in a small snowy town that embraces Christmas. Maybe single dad Adam and his cute four year old boy will help her to see Christmas differently. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This is such a sweet and enjoyable read. Brenda is called a Scroogetta by her friend Dolly. Brenda is very warm hearted but she struggles with love, relationships, and a wintery Christmas. Adam is a real sweetheart and is very patient and understanding. I love seeing how the town, the dogs, and Adam's family start to change Brenda's attitude towards winter, snow, cold, and Christmas.

What more would you want at any time of year but a Christmas book from a favorite author filled with lots of rescue dogs finding their forever homes? How about reuniting us unexpectedly with characters we’ve met before in Author Susan Wiggs’ The Lakeshore Chronicles series in the picturesque town of Avalon, New York? This book is filled with good feelings, family, friends, love, romance, and more, especially when Christmas is front and center and often over the top in its celebrations.

I loved The Twelve Dogs of Christmas from the minute I started it and savored the words as I read. There was some sadness and sorrow, but there were so many touching and warm moments to offset the pain.

Brenda is anti-Christmas due to some sad and heartbreaking events that have happened to her during that time of year since she was a young girl and also more recently. She’s tossed into situations with people who love Christmas and want to share their good cheer and the magic of Christmas with her. This is her and Adam’s story, and it caught her off-guard when she’s two-thousand miles away from home and seemingly living in a snow globe that embraces all things Christmas!

There are several storylines within the overall arc of the story. Even the sad parts seem filled with good feelings and holiday vibes. The characters all have a depth to them that molds them into who they are. There are dreams reached for and attained with hard work and actions that take them out of their comfort zones and make them want to try for a different life. Will love conquer all? Will the magic of Christmas change Brenda’s thinking and actions at this time of year, especially when she and Adam seem to have instant chemistry when they unexpectedly meet?

The story had a wonderful flow and was vivid with descriptions. I could picture the town and its businesses, the lake, the decorations, the dogs, and the cold. I could taste some of the goodies and feel the wonder of Christmas. The story has lovely closure in several ways and gave me the happily ever after I always look for in a contemporary or holiday romance. The epilogue was beautifully crafted, leaving me sighing and hoping that one day, we’ll return to this small town and see how everyone is faring! The cover definitely drew me in, as did the title.

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas is filled with all things Christmas, along with love, romance, and rescue dogs. I could sit by the fireplace, sipping my hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream all day while embraced by such a wonderful small town.

Brenda has put her life together after an unexpected divorce. New life, new home, new job. Volunteering at the local shelter, writing a book, and her plans for Christmas change unexpectedly. The shelter needs her to help transport twelve dogs from Houston to New York.
Of course, nothing goes as planned with a snow storm, an accident, and her friend injured, and Brenda finds herself stranded and handling everything on her own. A local family takes her in, the town vet houses the dogs until they meet their forever families, and suddenly Brenda's life is turned even more upside down.
As Brenda immerses herself in the local Christmas goings-on and works on her book, the paramedic who came to her rescue has become her tour guide, assistant, and more. Brenda starts feeling things, but she's going back home--would a fling be enough?
A delightful tale of making the most out of life when things go wrong and finding love in the most unexpected way at Christmas.
Received an ARC from Netgalley

This was a special, heartwarming story about Brenda, twelve dogs, a road trip, and Christmas in Avalon. I really liked Brenda and how she had found herself after her divorce. She changed and grew and continued to help Underdogs, a rescue organization.

Her road-trip with Dolly to Avalon sounded like a lot of fun in spite of the fact that Brenda could not stand Christmas and Dolly had decorated the van and played Christmas music during the entire trip. It was all for a good cause.

The story was funny at times and had a lot of twists and turns. There were sweet moments too as Brenda was given a chance to forgive the little girl she was in third grade and to realize love does not always lead to pain.

This book made me laugh and cry right along with Brenda. It also filled me with hope, love, and the magic of Christmas. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

Scroogey Brenda Malloy hates Christmas. She avoids it as much as possible due to bad memories of the holiday. The most recent being that she learned of her husband was cheating this time last year when her beloved Tiny Tim made a trip to the veterinarian after ingesting some other woman’s clothing. And then Brenda gets hoodwinked by Dolly, a key figure with Underdogs dog rescue where Brenda volunteers. Now she finds herself driving from Houston to Avalon, NY, with Dolly and several dogs destined for their new homes.


But the arrival in Avalon is fraught with a blinding snowstorm, a automobile crash, an escaped pup, and a rescue from paramedic and single dad, Adam Bellamy. And in Avalon, Christmas seems to be everywhere, from town decorations, parties, and a Christmas play to magical Christmas miracles. It's a lot for a woman who hates Christmas, and the annoying attraction to hunky single dad doesn’t help.


This was a slow start for me, and wordy at times so I skimmed a bit, but thankfully it wasn’t a detraction once I got into the meat of the story. I loved small-town Avalon and the people there, and how Brenda became one of their own before she ever realized it. With themes of found family, second chances, and new beginnings, this puppy-prolific romance is sure to put you in the holiday spirit and may just work it’s Christmas magic on you.


*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an early copy to read.

Readers who love Christmas and dogs will enjoy this story. A cross county trip to re-home 11 dogs goes wrong when the van ends up in a snowy ditch. Brenda, newly divorced is not looking for love but will it find her? When Adam, the handsome paramedic rescues Brenda and her friend during the snowstorm things may change. This story of finding the forever homes for the dogs is heartwarming. Will Brenda change her view of Christmas? Read and find out.

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Susan Wiggs book and now I’m remembering why I enjoy them so much. This heartwarming Christmas romance is set in a small town in the New York Catskills which has all the qualities you’d find in a Hallmark movie. It’s also hell on earth for a woman like Brenda Molloy who associates the holiday with only pain and suffering. When she is cajoled into transporting a van full of shelter dogs to their forever homes in Avalon, the last thing she expects is that a accident will bring paramedic Adam Bellamy to the rescue. She also can’t anticipate how just spending a couple of weeks delivering the dogs (or chasing them down), being understudy for her injured colleague in a Christmas play, and sharing everything from a holiday work party to sledding to dog training will start chipping away at her protective shell. The question is, will the over-the-top spirit of Christmas be enough for her to take a chance on love even if it means loss sometime in the future?

If you love Christmas, cute dogs, small town charm, and sweet romances, you’ll love this story. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from William Morrow through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Fun and fluffy holiday story. It's a great theme about second chances, for people and for dogs. Very heartwarming and gets you into the holiday spirit. Recommend this one for anyone looking for that.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

A quick read because the author did a great job of moving the story forward without a lot of repetition or filler. I could not put it down! Also enjoyed all the tips about dog training. Thanks to #NetGalley and #TheTwelveDogsOfChristmas for advanced digital copy.

The cover of this book made me pick it up. The first part of the synopsis made me select it to read. The rest of the book made me give it 5 stars as it's one of the best Christmas themed books I've read so far this season. Of course, the rescue of 12 pups who needed a home is sure to win my approval but the romance did not over ride the feel good I got from this woman's journey to Christmas spirit overhaul. If you need an uplifting story, try this one.

The story begins as Brenda Malloy and her husband race to the vet on Christmas Eve with their little rescue dog and Brenda’s constant companion, Tiny Tim. The vet is able to save Tim’s life, but when he shows them the cause of Tim’s pain . . . He swallowed a pair of skimpy red lace undies . . . Brenda’s relief turns to anger. They are not her undies!

Fast forward one year. Brenda is divorced and rebuilding her life without her ex-husband. Tiny Tim is still her best friend. She has lost weight and is training for a marathon. She is a volunteer for Underdogs Pet Rescue. She loves matching homeless dogs with loving forever families.

Brenda arranged transport of 12 dogs from Houston to Avalon, NY in the Catskills in time for them to be with their forever families for Christmas. The person going with the driver to help with the dogs became ill at the last minute so Brenda reluctantly agrees to go along to help.

A blinding snowstorm and the chaos created by 12 dogs and a rescue by a good looking paramedic make for a wonderful story to put you in the Christmas spirit.

Susan Wiggs never disappoints. You don’t want to miss this one!

This is a very sweet and endearing holiday story. It is chock full of both great human and doggy characters. Brenda has not had a good relationship with Christmas since she was nine years old. Adam loves Christmas and goes all out. When they are forced together to deliver the dogs at Christmas Adam is determined to change her mind. The story is delightful and easy to read. The setting is in a charming small town. Adam and Brenda make their Christmas wishes come true by falling in love.

When I saw Susan Wiggs had a new holiday themed book coming this year, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, I didn’t hesitate at the chance to read an early copy. My super-fan status of Wiggs books is well known around here a while, and this delivers all the warmhearted winter goodness with the added bonus of puppy love! This is set in the Lakeshore Chronicles universe but reads very well as a stand alone book.

Brenda Malloy spent the last year putting her life back together and wants nothing to do with Christmas ever again. Few would blame her after the memory of a devastating Christmas Eve finding out her husband was having an affair. This year she’s helping drive rescue dogs from Houston to their new FUR-Ever family’s in New York just in time for Christmas. Brenda wasn’t counting on snowstorm, an escaped dog on the run, and a very handsome paramedic named Adam Bellemy complicating her trip. When Adam offers to help deliver the dogs Brenda accepts the much needed help.

I recommend fans of holiday romance, The Lakeshore Chronicles and Bella Vista Series, and those that adore small town stories that feature rescue dogs. Please be sure to read the author’s note where Susan Wiggs talks about the ASPCS and Safe Pet Transport. A portion of the proceeds from this book will be going to support PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap, Wiggs local animal rescue organization.

Thank you to William Morrow Books for the early review copy via Netgalley.

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas is a feel-good story about Christmas miracles and finding love.
Brenda Mallory hates Christmas, its always a remind of the day she lost her dad. To find out her
husband was cheating on her on Christmas Eve just added to her hatred.
One of the ways she has been coping since the divorce has been helping out with Underdogs, a pet rescue group. Although she hates the cold and snow almost as much she does the does the holiday, she gets roped into taking 11 dogs and her own rescue pooch to Avalon, New York just before Christmas. In Avalon she meets and falls in love with Adam Bellamy. Can this hero salvage her heart and teach her to love Christmas again?
I liked both the main characters and the others in the story. The dogs were especially well done. There may have been a little to much self-contemplation on Brenda’s part, but overall, the book had a good pace and she didn’t automatically fall right back in love with the season. Do not expect hot sex, but overall, this was a well done book about a special time for special people.

I tend to be attracted to holiday stories with dogs in them and happened to read two back to back. This one was by far the better of the two and I very much enjoyed it. The story opens with Brenda almost losing her beloved dog on Christmas Eve when he ingests a pair of panties that isn't Brenda's. The dog survives just fine, but his accident leads to the breakup of her marriage. A year later, again at Christmas, she's well on her way to reinventing her life when she agrees to assist in the transport of a group of 11 rescue dogs from Houston to their forever homes in upstate NY. Warmth loving Brenda has every intention of dropping the dogs off, then immediately hightailing it back to Houston.

However, an unexpected snowstorm and a string of events all conspire to strand her for a week in the small town of Avalon, NY where Christmas hating Brenda keeps on getting roped into the snow and holiday festivities totally against her will. She also makes a strong connection with Adam, a paramedic and single dad who is the new adoptive dad of one of her rescue pups.

This story was absolutely charming, filled with likable characters and adorable doggos. Poor Brenda was so sure that the best way forward was to guard her heart from any real feelings, but of course, that's only a half-life at best, something that her experiences in Avalon all conspired to teach her. I really felt the magic of the season in this book and highly recommend it. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Susan does it again! Loved this
Get your copy Tuesday October 17th
This was a delightful read. Who doen't love a romance surrounded by twinkling lights, snow and a dozen cute furry friends. I highly recommend if you need a pick me up. Grab a hot chocolate a cozy blanket and settle in for the night and read this scrooge like story.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.