Four Weddings and a Puppy continues the Pine Valley series on a high note, mixing serious examination of career burn out and lost dreams with adorable puppy antics and strong, supportive friendships.

Kendall and Brody were childhood best friends and competitors as they both chased dreams of Olympic glory on the ski slopes. Kendall's dream ended in a nightmare crash on the slopes. She's been working as the general manager at her family's ski resort ever since, unable to move on and envision a new path for her life and stymied in her hope of broadening the resort's customer base. Meanwhile, Brody has achieved all of the success that Kendall was striving for, but is finding nothing at the center of his dream but a hollow feeling that he may have sacrificed too much for it.

As luck would have it, Brody shows up in Pine Valley just as in time to save a wedding cake at a high profile wedding at the resort from Kendall's demon golden retriever foster pup, Banner. From there, it doesn't take long for he and Kendall to rekindle their friendship and grow closer, but they both have a lot of work to do on resolving the emotions that are blocking them both from moving forward.

This book balanced out the serious moments with plenty of fun, flirting and banter, both between Kendall and Brody as well as with their various friends, employees, and let's not forget Banner, whom Kendall is determined not to adopt, in spite of it being obvious to everyone that they have already formed a strong bond. Kendall was pretty intense and emotionally guarded while Brody's more easy-going and open nature balanced her out perfectly. It was also great to get extended scenes between Kendall, and her two best friends, Charlotte and Magda, as she helps plan Charlotte's wedding and I loved seeing how happy Charlotte and George (from Pride and Puppies) were. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Four Weddings and a Puppy is the fifth book in Lizzie Shane’s Pine Hollow series. It can be read as a standalone, but I’ve enjoyed most of the series so far, and I’d recommend reading all of them.
While it’s not a sports romance in any way, I liked how it involved two people with ties to skiing and the Olympics, Kendall in the more distant past and Brody more recently. Kendall is also running her family’s ski resort, along with doing the wedding planning that provides external structure to the narrative. It was interesting to see Kendall cope with some of her envy at her own past failures while meeting Brody again, while unbeknownst to her, it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be from his side of things, leading to him walking away from it all.
Their romance was sweet, and while I did worry it would fall into some of the tropes I’m not fond of, where the foundation of the romance is a fling, even one between old friends, I ended up really liking it. The transition to them developing real, lasting feelings for each other was well-articulated, especially on her end, where I related to the fact that she doesn’t often like many people, but his generally sunny disposition won her over.
And then there’s the dog shenanigans…Banner is an absolute riot from page one, constantly getting into mischief. While Kendall may have been reluctant to foster him, I knew it was just a matter of time before she and Brody were both won over by his many charms.
This was another fun read from Lizzie Shane, and I’d recommend it to fans of small-town romance, especially if you love dogs.

A book about puppies and weddings?? Absolutely what else can a girl want in a book???

This book gave me hallmark feels, but in a great way. I loved the main characters, but Banner took the cake (literally). The first chapter really pulls you in and there’s no real slow part of this book.

Set in a picture perfect ski lodge Kendall is described as very tomboyish. She then reunites with childhood friend and Olympic star Brody who is quite literally a golden retriever of a man.

While this book has small town charm and romance, I really appreciated learning more about the pressure athletes feel trying to win and be the best. I know nothing about the Olympics but the author wrote it so well I really thought both main characters were training for the Olympics IRL!

The book had a great plot, family drama, a tight circle of friends, room for spin offs, etc everything I wanted in a book HOWEVER the reason I gave it 4 stars is right at the end it started to get too over the top mushy…

First, a big pet peeve of mine is when characters say I love you too fast in the book. When a love story isn’t organic and only progresses really fast, it makes it less believable. That happened in the book. I hate the sudden realization of “holy crap I’m in love with him I’m going to say it really fast” because that doesn’t happen on the norm.

Second, the last 25 pages were all just “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings” “I’m sorry I made you sad” apologize from families. They could have condensed to 2 pages and I still would have gotten the point. It was in unnecessary and boring.

Other than those 2 points I really enjoyed this book. Thank you Lizzie Shane and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!!

📖 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙒𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙋𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙗𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙯𝙯𝙞𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙚

“𝖳𝗋𝗎𝗍𝗁 𝗈𝗋 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝖾?" 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝗁𝗂𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝖡𝗋𝗈𝖽𝗒 𝗌𝗆𝗂𝗅𝖾𝖽 𝗐𝗂𝖼𝗄𝖾𝖽𝗅𝗒, 𝗐𝗁𝗂𝗍𝖾 𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗍𝗁 𝖿𝗅𝖺𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 "𝖶𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗒𝗈𝗎? 𝖣𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝗆𝖾." 🩶

Kendall Walsh is desperately trying to help her father save their family’s ski resort by marketing it as a wedding venue. She was once the wild child of the family and a ski prodigy. She dreamed of the olympics, but had it ripped away after a horrible accident during the olympics trials. Six years later she is still trying to help her father with the resort as a way of paying him back for her hospital bills. When her childhood crush and rival, Brody, saves a wedding cake from puppy annihilation, they reconnect.

No one can really figure out why Brody is back in town when he should be competing. Brody feels lost after the death of his ski rival, and now has to figure out who he wants to be as a person. Together, with comical support from their furry friend, the two try to heal their hearts.

This was a cute read! It had all the fun hallmark vibes while also touching some deep subjects and emotions. The relationship buildup between Brody and Kendall was cute and believable. I loved all their hot tub talks and how they supported each other. The side characters were great and can’t wait for their stories.

🧼This is a clean, closed door romance.

Tropes:
💋Brother’s Best Friend
🫶🏼Childhood friends/Rivals to Lovers
🐶Doggy Sidekick
🩶Dual POV
🚪Closed Door Romance
💘Mental Health Awareness

Thank you NetGalley and Forever Publishing for a eARC so that I could share my honest review.

Super adorable and fun read! It’s the perfect rom-com! This is the first book I’ve read by Lizzie Shane but it won’t be my last. Love her writing! If you’re looking for a hallmark type romance, this is it! 4 stars!

This was pretty cute! I liked it a lot more than I was expecting, I especially loved the mischievous puppy, Banner! I loved that there wasn't a third act breakup and I loved that Brody was able to really decide what he wanted to do regarding his career and Kendall was going to support him either way.

I usually like a bit more emotional depth in my books and while this did delve into some deeper emotions, it didn't go quite far enough for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a cute and easy read perfect for before bedtime to switch your brain off. I will always read a book with a dog on the cover. I didn’t realize this was part of a series but didn’t much matter.

I read the last book in the Pine Hollow series, Pride and Puppies, last November and loved it. Dogs can bring out the best in people, and the concept of a romance novel series that prominently features dogs is such a brilliant concept.

As the parent of a destructive canine, I totally related to Kendall's panic chasing Banner, a naughty golden retriever puppy, as he ran towards a wedding cake at the beginning of the book. It set the scene for the rest of the book so well and is such an entertaining way for Kendall and Brody to be reunited.

Banner is probably my favorite character in the book. He starts as a dog Kendall is fostering, but of course, both Kendall and Brody fall head over heels for him. I love the little details that Shane includes like Banner getting fur all over Brody's vest and that Banner loves to chew on cell phones. Every reference to him made me smile.

I love a good romance novel where the two protagonists help each other heal from past hurts, and that's definitely the case with Kendall and Brody. Kendall helps Brody change his relationship to skiing, and Brody helps Kendall address issues in her relationships with members of her family.

Jasmine Guillory's Wedding Date series is a favorite of mine because I love a set of interconnected romance novels. It was fun to read the cameos from George and Charlotte after reading about their love story in Pride and Puppies. It makes the reader feel part of the community in a special way.

Four Weddings and a Puppy is a fun and charming novel, but I prefered Pride and Puppies. Charlotte and George are more compelling as protagonists, and I'm a sucker for a good Jane Austen reference. I definitely want to go back and read the rest of the Pine Hollow series as well. It certainly feels like the right season to pick up The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, the first book.

I enjoyed the two books in the Pine Hollow series I've read so far, and I look forward to returning to the town again soon.

Thank you @readforeverpub @netgalley for a copy of this book. I love returning back to Pine Hollow and reading Kendall's story. This story centers on Kendall trying to bring more revenue to her family's ski and hotel resort. At the same time, she is fostering a mischievous puppy and her crush from high school returns. I enjoyed seeing Kendall and Brody together and their banter and tension was great. Both Kendall and Brody are at crossroads with their career and it was good to see how they supported each other. Banner is the cutest pup despite his mischievous ways.

I've been really enjoying this series, but I have to say that Four Weddings and a Puppy has to be my favorite so far. I really loved both Brody and Kendall. Right from the beginning they worked even if they didn't know they did. Sometimes you have to work for what's important to you.

Kendall comes off as a cold locked in person, but I think you have to get to know her. Sadly, she hasn't allowed herself to move passed her past and become her new her. It really has held her back from life. More than once I want to tell her "enough already" but to be honest I have to say that I'm not sure how I'd act of feel if my dreams were taken away from me.

I totally understood what Brody was going through. A loss, even one of someone you aren't really close can affect your life. It hurt my heart that he was afraid to talk to his family because he didn't want to disappoint them.

You quickly see that these two are meant for each other and work as a couple. Brody helps her stand up for herself by giving her the confidence she needs. While Kendall stands with Brody and helps him understand why he's feeling what he's feeling and that it's okay. It's kind of funny how they can't admit to their own issues but have no problems help the other with theirs. Isn't that how life is.

I also loved Kendall's pup. As someone who's gone through the puppy stage for the last two years, I get it. They get into everything. Kendall was lucky to only have to watch her cell phone. We couldn't sit on a couch for almost two years without the dog mouthing us. I was so happy when that stage was over.

Between Kendall finally sticking up for herself with her father and Brody realizing what he wants out of life this is a wonderful, easy to read story that I totally enjoyed.

Childhood friends are reunited after their sports careers take different turns and a wild puppy might be the perfect way to start their second chance at happiness together. Kendall Walsh dreamed about making it into the Olympics but a crash that lead to a near death has her giving up her sports dreams. She now works at her father's resort as a wedding planner and at her first planned wedding a wild puppy gets loose and almost runs straight into the cake but is stopped by none other than Olympic skier Brody James... Kendall's childhood best friend and crush. Brody is an Olympic skier, he's famous, he's career is thriving, he has a model girlfriend, he should be happy with his perfect life... yet he's not. He's so unhappy he's run away from his career and secretly returned home to attend his relative's wedding and run into his best friend's little sister, Kendall, the one girl who won't bat her eyelashes and giggle at him, and the one girl who now has his full attention. Brody is struggling to find what he wants to do with his life but one conversation with Kendall and he's suddenly feeling grounded again, she makes him feel grounded and he knows that he's willing to do anything to hold onto that feeling. Brody and Kendall begin to spend more time together while they both work out their paths and their feelings for each other... but is their second chance at romance going to work? This was a very Hallmark-esque romance and it's an overall cute enough read. I think it would make a great one for the winter and it's overall sweet.

*Thanks Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I enjoyed this one a lot. It was funny and also, at times, really heartbreaking.

It was a good example of what happens when we're pushed and focused and live for one thing. What happens when that thing is gone? What happens after? How do you redefine yourself after?

It's also a very painful reminder about what it feels like to have a crush that has absolutely no idea about how you feel. Everytime Kendall would remind the readers about how she felt and for how long...

Kendall is a great character. She feels so much guilt that it's made her pigeonhole herself into doing things she doesn't really lobe. And she's a little bit grumpy, which I really enjoyed.

Brody is just a charmer who's come to a crisis in his life. He's lived a charmed life and is now questioning his very existence.

They're childhood friends to strangers who's now back in each other's orbit and has to figure out how they fit.

Kendall is trying to save her family's struggling ski resort by hosting weddings. But when her menace foster dog threatens to ruin the cake, Olympic skier and former friend Brody James saves the day.

This is a charming small town romance that has great chemistry and a mischievous dog, but also complicated family relationships and mental health representation. Kendall and Brody are both forced to take a look at their lives and see if they are truly happy with where they are. Kendall has committed her life to her family resort after a career-ending ski accident and Brody is taking a break from the pressure and singular focus of his ski career. Through some resort renovations and hot tub truth or dare sessions, they get reacquainted from childhood and open up about their respective challenges.

It's a heartwarming read with relatable characters and some depth, and generally great for Hallmark movie fans. While it's part of an overall Pine Hollow series, it can easily be read as standalone. Thank you Forever and NetGalley for my advance copy -- pick this up when it hits shelves November 21 for a cozy winter read!

Four Weddings and a Puppy had everything you could want for a super cute romance. This book was filled with small town and second chance romance, childhood friends, and of course, a puppy. I loved the connection that Brody and Kendall had throughout this book. Kendall is not your typical girl in romance books. She does not do romance (even though she is a wedding planner) and is still trying to figure out what she wants in life after here failed sports career. She has played it safe after her accident but maybe Brody can help her get back to the girl she used to be. Brody is also trying to figure out what is next in his life. Does he want to retire from the demanding schedule of skiing? After walking away from the training course, Brody comes back to Pine Hollow to determine what is next.
Together, they can figure out what would make them happy.

Although this book is the fifth book in the Pine Hollow series, you can definitely pick it up as a standalone book. I loved this book so much that I immediately got the first book in the series and plan on reading the other books in the series.

Four Weddings and a Puppy comes out on November 21st.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to review Four Weddings and a Puppy. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

A beautiful and exciting story! I loved the characters and was rooting for them the whole time. A must read!

Lizzie Shane’s newest book is full of warmth, delight and easily puts a smile on the reader’s face from beginning to end - plus, it is full of laughter from the chaos created by a very energetic puppy named Banner.

Shane’s book was a different read with the characters, emotions & subjects at hand. Not knowing much about being a true athlete training to be the ultimate best, I enjoyed how Shane was able to bring forth all the content in a way the reader can understand it. The characters of Kendall & Brody each represent a different view for an athlete in skiing. Kendall is trying to piece a new life together after suffering from a terrible skiing accident plus she is plagued by guilt for all the financial strain as a result of her accident.

On the other hand, there is Brody who finds himself struggling with life in an entirely different way. Physically, Brody is on top of everything in his sport however he ends up back in Pine Hollow because he is suffering with the mental strain of being an athlete. Shane gives a portrayal of how important mental health is for athletes. She has found ways to make Brody’s recovery not too overpowering . . . SERIOUSLY, can anyone be truly & extremely giddy remodeling an old lodge??? . . . apparently the answer is ‘yes’ for Brody.

Even though Kendall & Brody appear to be lost at the moment it becomes clear they need each other. There is a strong connection between Kendall & Brody and they are both allowed the chance to help one another through their current situations. Mixed in to all of this is the classic romance and a trouble making puppy who wiggles his way into the reader’s heart. His antics are funny and add lightheartedness to the book.

I definitely recommend picking up this book and giving it a read. Once you do . . . what will you pick . . . Truth or dare? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an advanced reader copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Four Weddings and a Puppy by Lizzie Shane is the 5th book in her Pine Hollow series. This one follows the story of Kendall, a former Olympic hopeful and Brody James, an Olympic medalist both in the area of skiing. Friends since childhood, and chasing similar dreams until life throws Kendall a curveball and she has to pivot and find a new dream. But, this is much easier said than done. Brody James achieved Kendall’s dream but is that still HIS dream? This book felt heavier to me than the others which is why I’d give it 4 /5 stars. The characters are unique enough that the story line doesn’t feel too repetitive even though the basic premise among all of them are similar. I think the underlying issue of mental health, finding your purpose, dealing with other’s expectations of you are all very important. I just wasn’t expecting the book to be so reflective (especially since the two main characters struggle with self reflection / awareness as much as they do). I also may not have enjoyed it as much because it’s more sports focused as well as the fact that my personality differs from Kendall’s. This made it harder for me to relate to but that’s okay. It’s still a solid story and for some might be 100% relatable.

There was something off here for me. It was an easy read with decent writing but the characters were all mostly annoying and didn’t garner any sympathy from me for their supposed plights.

3.5 ⭐️ I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book, I’ve not always been a fan of books that have the hallmark-esqe trope of having a cutesy dog story in each one but I’m glad I picked this one up! The story while yes it had a cute dog (let’s be honest who doesn’t love a dog!) in it was rightfully way more focused on the two main characters and their journey. I found that there was more meat to this book then I had expected, I like the history between them and the way the story unfolded throughout the book. I also appreciated that even when there was conflict it was also resolved at a normal pace, nothing was drawn out but also it was dealt with in a way that felt natural and normal.

I loved the setting and all the side characters, I think I will go and investigate the authors other stories from this universe!

Over all this is a good closed door romance that sweeps you up into the lives and world of the characters. Perfect for a snowy day with a cup of hot chocolate!

Thanks to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and the author Lizzie Shane for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have loved Lizzie Shane's Pine hollows series right from the very first book, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas. For this fifth installment, we are following Kendall. She was an elite level skier before a career-ending injury. Now she helps to manage her father's resort and tries to make it sufficiently profitable to pay back the medical debt from her rehabilitation.

Her childhood crush and current Olympic skier, Brody, returns to their small town. Kendall never wants him to know of her feelings and knows he won't be staying around long.

I absolutely adored Banner, the golden retriever pup who Kendall is fostering. She refers to him as a Chaos Monster, and the description is so apt. I am always impressed by how perfectly Lizzie Shane captures doggy personalities.

White this is a sweet small town romance, it also has such great depth of emotion. It incorporated many family challenges that felt to authentic and spoke to me. I love the friend circle and secondary characters. And I greatly appreciated how the book explored Kendall and Brody's dreams and life transitions. Plus their games of truth or dare were simply phenomenal and made me see the game in a whole new light.

Now I can't wait for the long teased book about Magda and Mac.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

CW: suicide before book