A suckedrfor childhood friends to lover romance and any book with a dog on the cover, I selected this one without knowing it was part of a series. That being said, it can be read as a standalone and was a very cute and quick romance! Overall, the story was grown up with real communication and growth between the couple which can be rare in romances these days. The setting of the wedding was fun and sweet, adding to the lovey feel of the book and its world. An easy read for someone wanting a feel-good, simple closed-door romance.

Thank you to Forever Pub and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute read but there's nothing about it that stands out. Maybe if I'd read the previous books in the series I would have liked it more, but I didn't know it was part of a series when I requested it from NetGalley.

Kendall and Brody are childhood friends and both have histories as professional skiers. I enjoyed learning about the sport and they both had great backstories. Their relationship goes from friends to lover and was sweet and funny in spots.

As a veterinary technician and dog owner, I hated the representation of the young dog in this book. He's allowed to run rampant and destroy things and it's a running joke. In reality, a dog who behaves like that isn't happy and should be in serious training.

While it had nice moments, overall this is a miss and I wouldn't recommend it.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

This book was so cute! I'm a huge fan of puppies in romances, and this dog was an absolute scene-stealer! The romance was steamy and sweet. Not quite second chance, but this felt like a new beginning all the same. Their history compared with their diverging pasts leading to this present and future was so scintillating to read!

I was drawn to this book mainly because of its adorable cover. I'm a sucker for cute book covers. This was a sweet romance with an adorable dog thrown in for an extra dose of sweetness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the E-ARC

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Feel good romance - straight out of a hallmark movie!

I love books featuring furry friends and that was what drew me to this book! It was fun and playful and I loved the small town ski-resort element. The author also did a good job tackling some more serious issues such as mental health.

Part of a series- I read book 4, but not books 1-3 and can definitely be read as a stand-alone!

This is the fifth contemporary romance by Lizzie Shane set in Pine Hollow. I've loved them all and Kendall and Brody's story might be my new favorite. This is a group of interconnected stories (friend group) that can all be read as stand-alones, and, having read them all, I really enjoyed seeing familiar faces. They also all have the most amazing dogs. In this one, Kendall is fostering Banner, a rambunctious Golden Retriever who was dear to my heart since I have my own goofy Golden who moonlights a s a book model.

Kendall is working at her family's ski lodge, a setting I adored since my family are all skiers. She has all kinds of ideas on how to make the lodge more profitable, and is currently focusing on weddings.

Read the synopsis for more details- I don't want to share too much about the story. I loved the soul-searching that Kendall and Brody both had to do as they were both at a sort of crossroads about what to do next in their lives. I loved how they challenged and supported each other and grew as a result of their interactions. They really saw and brought out the best in each other. I thought the mental health references were well done and felt realistic. I have to say this slow burn, friends to lovers romance had me both smiling and teary, which is a perfect combination for me. I can't wait for the next one.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy. All opinions are my own.

Lizzie Shane has become a go-to author for me when I need a sweet, entertaining, gosh-darn-lovely romance. I fell in love with the town and characters she created back in 2020 with The Twelve Dogs of Christmas and I’ve enjoyed every subsequent novel since. I read Four Weddings and a Puppy at the perfect time and had a great time reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones in this latest Pine Hollow novel.

Here’s the book’s description:
When two childhood friends return home after their sports careers don't go as planned, a puppy just may give them a second chance at happiness together. She’s always been the girl with the plan . . . until the plan crashed big time
Kendall Walsh has exactly one second to save a fancy, five-tiered wedding cake and any possibility of being a wedding planner—not to mention her family’s struggling ski resort. All because of one very cute, very furry, golden menace of a retriever who has a serious thing for butter chiffon icing. Which is exactly when Olympic skier Brody James shows up and saves the day . . . and the cake.
Brody makes Kendall feel about a million indecipherable things. He’s her brother’s bestie. Her first crush. And a ridiculously popular Olympic hero, which only reminds her of her own failed Olympic dreams. What Brody isn’t telling her is that he’s walked away from it all. The fame. The sponsorships. The celebrity girlfriend. Now he and Kendall are both lost somewhere between their past and a future they can’t yet see. But four weddings, one mischievous puppy, and a few steamy kisses later, these two might just realize that they are both exactly where they need to be…with each other.
I’ll be honest (as usual), if you’re looking for a super well-crafted, thought-provoking romance novel and/or want some steam, this series is not for you. But I firmly believe there are different types of books (and romance books in particular) for a reason and sometimes you want the cupcake version of a book and there is NO shame in choosing the cupcake over the carrot.

I loved Brody and Kendall as a couple. They created a partnership first, flirting a little, but they were both so inside their heads and trying to figure out What’s Next that romance didn’t quite have the space it needed to start. Not until they worked through some of their own personal demons. But the beauty of the story was they each helped the other work through those demons, too. It felt like such a realistic portrayal of what it’s like to have someone solidly on your side when you’re figuring out some of the hard choices. Knowing they had built a foundation meant rooting for them romantically was really easy!

As I said, Kendall and Brody both had some hard stuff to figure out. Kendall needed to work out if she could, in fact, walk away from the family business and deal with the trauma from her skiing accident once and for all. Brody had walked away from competitive skiing with no real plan and couldn’t figure out how to balance his life. I respected their problems but I think this is where Shane lost me, just a little bit. I can’t put my finger on why, either, which is frustrating. Maybe it’s just that it seemed like they were both hiding from the truth and seemed stuck for too much of the story. I get that happens in life but being “stuck” isn’t really something you want in a novel.

One thing I see as a pro in this series is you really don’t have to read every previous book to enjoy the latest. Each one features a different couple and they’re all somewhat connected, either by friendship or by blood relation, but it’s the town that holds it all together. And the puppies that always show up! So, what I’m saying is, if you want a brand new romance to read right now but haven’t read the rest of the Pine Hollow series, rest assured, you can pick this one up with no problem or confusion.

I had such a great time reading Lizzie Shane’s latest romance, Four Weddings and a Puppy. I highly recommend picking this one (and the others in the series) up if you want a sweet romance that will leave you with a smile and a full heart (and perhaps a longing for a puppy of your own!).

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

I had kind of low expectations going into this because I DNFed Charlotte’s book halfway through, but this was a five-star surprise. Charming and unexpectedly emotional without getting too dramatic, with the bonus of a cute dog thrown in. I loved reading about skiing instead of one of the more typical sports-related romances. It’s a great wintertime read.

I am such a sucker for anything with a puppy on the cover :) Kendall has been working at her family's ski resort since her ski career and Olympic dreams ended unexpectedly several years ago. This isn't her dream job, but she feels she owes it to her parents for all they have done for her. Brody, her former bestie and champion skier, comes crashing into her world. He's at her resort for his cousin's wedding.

This book was a super cute RomCom, and i will pick up more by this author. Loved it. It is a nice refreshing fast read.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read and review.

What a cute romance read from @lizzieshaneak ☺️ I loved how the characters in this story reconnected after spending years apart and the way they truly supported one another. They both experienced some trauma and seeing them lean on those closest to them and each other was really heartwarming to see. I also really enjoyed that we got to see glimpses of characters from Shane’s book Pride and Puppies, which I enjoyed last year as well! Overall, this was a sweet and quick read for those looking for a romance book to get lost in! Pairs perfect with a cup of hot cocoa too 🤗

Thank you @readforeverpub for the gifted arc copy of this novel 🩷

Happy Thursday y’all! I hope everyone’s been having a great week! It’s been a wonderful week for me, because one of my favorite series, the Pine Hollow series, just had a new book come out last Tuesday and I finally had time to read it this week (and if y’all haven’t picked up any of the Pine Hollow books, now is the perfect time to do so because these are the best winter/holiday reads!). Thank you so much to Forever and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC of Four Weddings and a Puppy!

Four Weddings and a Puppy 4.5/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:

When two childhood friends return home after their sports careers don’t go as planned, a puppy just may give them a second chance at happiness together. She’s always been the girl with the plan . . . until the plan crashed big time

Kendall Walsh has exactly one second to save a fancy, five-tiered wedding cake and any possibility of being a wedding planner—not to mention her family’s struggling ski resort. All because of one very cute, very furry, golden menace of a retriever who has a serious thing for butter chiffon icing. Which is exactly when Olympic skier Brody James shows up and saves the day . . . and the cake.

Brody makes Kendall feel about a million indecipherable things. He’s her brother’s bestie. Her first crush. And a ridiculously popular Olympic hero, which only reminds her of her own failed Olympic dreams. What Brody isn’t telling her is that he’s walked away from it all. The fame. The sponsorships. The celebrity girlfriend. Now he and Kendall are both lost somewhere between their past and a future they can’t yet see. But four weddings, one mischievous puppy, and a few steamy kisses later, these two might just realize that they are both exactly where they need to be…with each other.

I really liked reading Brody and Kendall’s story! Kendall was such a strong main character, but was still feeling a little lost in her life, and Brody was also lost in his life but they just fit so well, even though you could definitely tell that they didn’t want to at first. I loved watching them fix up the lodge together and parent Banner the golden together- Banner is for sure my favorite character in this book. I also enjoyed being able to see some of my favorite characters from other books again too- like Charlotte and George’s wedding happening in this book and seeing Magda and Mac (and we’ve been promised that the next book is going to be Magda and Mac’s story, so I could not be more excited!!!). Overall, Four Weddings and a Puppy was an adorable addition to this series and I cannot wait for everyone to read it!

Am I allowed to start this review off mentioning I'm a sucker for a cute puppy in any romantic comedy? I think dogs have the ability to make humans more lighthearted and they have a way of bringing people together in so many different ways. The fact that Lizzie Shane writes such a cute puppy into this book had me sold from the start.

I loved Kendall and Brody as well, just not as much as the puppy. I'm not super fond of the wedding theme, as it feels so overdone, but I love the overall feeling this book left me with. I rooted for Kendall and Brody to succeed. It's so hard to transition from being a professional athlete to no longer doing the thing you dedicated your life to.

Overall, this is such a lighthearted book, it's perfect for anyone needing a pick-me-up.

I'll never hesitate to pick up a new Lizzie Shane book- especially not one set in Pine Hollow. I loved returning to this small town in Vermont, especially because this was Kendall's story, my favorite of the friend group. While Pride and Puppies, the last in the series, was cheerful, gentle, and cozy, FWP was emotional, a little angsty, and very touching.

Kendall and Brody are great main characters. They have similarities that make them perfect to help each other, but the way they push each other to be more daring and reach outside their comfort zones had me rooting for them from page one. Seeing their character growth (and the relationship growth) and how they become vulnerable and honest with themselves and one another is a real treat.

The family dynamic, too, added a deep layer of emotion. Kendall's relationship with her dad and the pressure put on both Kendall and Brody by their families made for an extra component that rounded out their motivations and fears. I loved the resolution to these events- incredibly satisfying.

Though there were deeper emotions touched by this novel, at its heart Four Weddings and a Puppy is still a cheerful, romantic read. Brody and Kendall are great stars, and their romance shines in its quiet, inevitable way, without being too wordy or introspective. The epilogue made my heart sing, and I can't wait for Mac and Magda to do it again.

Kendall and Brody have known each other since they were kids racing down the mountain chasing the dream of being Olympic greats. An accident ruined that dream for Kendall. She's been working at her parent's resort since, trying to pay her dad back and get the resort in the black. Brody comes back to town, letting everyone think he has an injury and needs to rehab. He's acting different, he takes a job at the resort to help redo the lodge into another venue for weddings and gets closer to Kendall than anyone realizes. They love playing truth or dare and that little game sheds a great deal of light on the situation. Is Brody really done with skiing and if not, will Kendall really let him go and not follow him back to the life she once knew? Love Pine Hollow and all the characters we've come to know in the other books. This is another well done, quick read by Ms. Shane and I can't wait for the next one! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This was a super cute Hallmark-y type romance.

Kendall has been working at her family's ski resort since her ski career and Olympic dreams ended unexpectedly several years ago. This isn't her dream job, but she feels she owes it to her parents for all they have done for her.

Brody, her former bestie and champion skier, comes crashing into her world. He's on a break from skiing, due to his knee according to reports, but really because he isn't sure he wants this life and needs a break. He's at her resort for his cousin's wedding.

When his sister's wedding venue cancels on her, he thinks the resort would be perfect, and offers to help Kendall restore a chalet that they both feel would be the perfect spot for his sister. They grow close, share secrets, and play some truth or dare like the old days.

This book was a sweet mix of banter and romance, as well as some serious discussions as they navigate the road to romance.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Forever Pub and NetGalley for my complimentary eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I picked up Four Weddings and a Puppy thinking it would be a fluffy romance and a nice palate cleanser after a certain dragon book. I was so wrong. It’s a nicely written childhood friends to lovers romance.

I enjoyed:
Grownup relationship between Kendall and Brody
Real communication
No third act breakup
Closed door romance

These all added up to make the perfect romantic read for me. The dog was a bonus.
This would make a great Hallmark movie. Although it is 5th in the series, it may be read as a standalone.

Four Weddings and a Puppy by Lizzie Shane
Pine Hollow series #5. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone. It takes place after book 4 and that couple is one of the weddings in this story. Friends to lovers troupe and Grumpy sunshine troupes.
Kendall Walsh is a wedding planner at her family’s struggling ski resort. The job isn’t her first choice of a career, but she’ll do her utmost to keep the resort running. She feels she owes her father for all the medical bills that were paid when her Olympic dreams came to a crashing halt. Having her rambunctious retriever doing everything he can to get to a wedding cake is a disaster in the making. Surprisingly, her childhood friend Brody comes to the rescue, catching the dog and saving the wedding. Kendall doesn’t know why he’s back in town when he should be competing somewhere. When he decides to stick around and help manage the resort, Kendall doesn’t know what’s going on, but it’s nice to have her friend back. Even if he seems to have walked away from his Olympic track career.

A multi-layered romance with chuckle worthy banter, a joyous puppy getting into everything, and underlying mental health issues for both hero and heroine. Her grumpiness is a bit humorous which is exactly how Brody looks at it. His laughing at her grumpiness and still being her friend, plus washboard abs makes Brody irresistible.
I enjoyed the surface flirting but really appreciated when Brody gave her the truth and when Kendall finally took a stand.
I’m enchanted and will have to go back and pick up the prior four books in the series.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

This was an adorable, quick read. I loved the main characters - their internal challenges. Their growth as individuals and as a couple. The supporting characters and friends were great and only added to how cute the book was. I found the setting to be amazing and the focus on weddings to be super sweet. There was drama, there was love, there was support and there was growth. The puppy and love story only added to the joy of this book. I would definitely recommend as a cute escape from reality!

Thank you NetGalley for my advance reader copy.

What a fun book! It's a lighthearted read that holds your attention from the first page until the last. I absolutely loved it!!
I received a complimentary copy from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.