This was fine. It delivered exactly what it was supposed to be. Small town romance and puppies? What could go wrong?

💙Different POVs (main characters and one 🍘member of production)
🍰 Arch Nemesis
❤️ Longtime Feud
🍰 Arch Rivals
💙 Small Town Romance
🍰 Enemies to Lovers
❤️ Close Proximity
🍰 Bakers
💙 Baking Competition
🍰 Slow Burn
❤️ Banter
🍰 Tension
💙 HEA

5 stars 🌟 🤩

This was such an amazing read! Reading about their rivalry in their hometown, their banter, and their experience for the baking competition. Even their pets are adorable! I felt like I was there with the characters. I love everything about this book! ❤️

Magda and Mac have a long-time feud that the whole town knows about. They have t-shirts for their rivalry. Apparently, the baking show wanted to do something new with rivals. It seems like Mac wanted to help Magda more than win the competition. The banter and tension between Mac and Magda sparks up chemistry. The close proximity gives them the time to talk about what started their feud many years ago. I'm so glad that Mac and Magda found their happily ever after 🧡. Reading about the competition like watching a show in book form! It's crazy! The suspense of finding out who won the competition at the end of the book. 💙

This book was a very enjoyable read. I read it in a few sittings and was hooked after just a short time reading. The story was well paced and the characters were well developed.

I could not connect to these two and once the romance started I felt like I had missed chapters. It needed more emotion, more chemistry. There was nothing holding me in the story.

Multiple POV didn't work here either imo. It only managed to disconnect the story further. Overall, promising premise with poor execution.

I have been behind on my ARCs for a bit, but this is the last of what has been published this year—and I deeply regret putting this off!

First, I haven't read the other books in this series. With that said, I did get a sense that I was missing out on certain dynamics and character stories that are not central to the plot of this story, but kind of resulted in me feeling like people were whispering and I couldn't make out what they were saying. It's not a bad feeling, but I am very nosy so now I obviously have to pick up book 1 of the Pine Hollow series!

Like Cats & Dogs was so much fun. I don't watch cooking/baking reality TV, but one of my goals for this year was to read more books outside of my comfort zone, and while this was a romcom, it was very centered on that reality TV experience, and the love story is secondary to that. At times this was a little frustrating because all of the ~everything~ of the show dragged parts of the story along, but I think these scenes would be very intriguing to people who watch shows like these in real life and have wondered what it's like behind-the-scenes.

Magda and Mackenzie are sworn rivals whose lives are intertwined because they're from a small town and all their friends are married to each other. They had a moment ten years prior that made it impossible for them to stand each other in the years since. Mackenzie also has a cat that can't stay away from Magda's dog, which means they see each other more than they'd like. Magda owns a French bakery and Mackenzie owns a cafe, so when they end up being cast on The Great American Cake-Off that is doing a never-before-done rivals season, tensions rise and the heat between them boils over.

I enjoyed their friends and some of the other contestants on the show. I was actually deeply touched—and cried—over some of the pure kindness the contestants showed each other in some of the scenes. However, I felt like the show got in the way of Mac and Magda communicating, and I cannot stand miscommunication tropes or the trope of ~everything is in the way of them talking~. When the production went on break they had so much time to have the "What are we?" talk, and simply didn't and I didn't understand that or like it at all. But when they were finally able to get themselves together, I absolutely adored their love story.

I also really loved that the winner of the show wasn't obvious! I think the show actually having twists and turns was a lot of fun! Overall, this was a super cute, fast-paced, closed door romance that I will be thinking about for a while!

4.5 ⭐️s

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Forever, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. While I thought this was a well-written story, and I liked the characters, I have seen a similar story play out on Hallmark before, which turned me off.

This didn’t work for me. Magda was overly complainy, and just full of blame for everyone but herself. I found it creepy that Mac kept referring to Magda as a child when they had their “fight” and then he says he’s been in love with her since then. Also found it creepy the way he went from being rude to calling her cupcake and such so quickly. Just didn’t fit into the age range again. This is something that really removes me from a story. The side characters were all abysmal as well. How did Macs grandma go so long without recognizing the cake? Who knows.

What a joy of a book. This isn't written as a holiday book but definitely gives cozy season vibes. This is the first book I've read in this series but I'll be going back to start at #1 to revisit Pine Hollow. The characters are well developed and the scene was just too fun to turn down. It is a take on the Great British Bakeoff (in America), and I can't wait to try my my hand at my own Maple Cake.

Shane manages to take tropes that can be tricky and frustrating- enemies to lovers, feuds, and miscommunication- and turn them into a delightful, heart-filling, and surprisingly exciting finale to the Pine Hollow series. Mac and Magda have had my heart since the beginning, and I was truly wondering how she would explain their insane chemistry but their obviously deep and painful history. Shane managed to make their feelings both realistic and explain that old hurt in a way that made both of them equally at fault, but not unforgivable. The backdrop of the Archrivals reality baking show added a bit of an edge that pushed both of them out of their comfort zone and made the opportunity for them to see each other in a new light, and it also added a fun cast of new characters since we're so familiar with Pine Hollow at this point. Mac and Magda are definitely my favorite of the series, and it was a great way to send off this small Vermont town.

A delightful, heartwarming romcom that will have readers laughing, swooning, and craving something sweet!
 
This revolves around Magda, an aspiring baker with a dream of competing on a prestigious baking show, and Mac, her longtime rival and now unexpected competitor for the winning prize. When Magda learns that she and Mac will be pitted against each other in the baking competition, the tension between them evolves immediately, and soon, sparks are flying.
 
The characters are especially endearing! Mac and Magda are wonderfully written, with their snarky banter and undeniable chemistry keeping readers engaged from the start. Magda’s fiery spirit and Mac’s charming, albeit stubborn, nature make them a perfect pair, even if they don’t want to acknowledge it. The side characters also add a lot of depth to this book, bringing humor, heart, and a sense of community to this new and stressful setting!
 
One of my favorite things about this read is the author's vivid descriptions of the desserts Magda and Mac create. The scenes where they work together in the kitchen are not only so fun but also full of emotional growth as they navigate their complicated past and blossoming feelings. Another thing I loved was the nicknames that weakened my knees, quite honestly, even when they were said out of spite. I ATE. THEM. UP.
 
The plot offers a sweet mix of tension, humor, found family, and romance. Watching Mac and Magda work through their past and their feud while learning to trust each other again is both heartwarming and satisfying. There’s the perfect blend between lighthearted and emotional, making this a truly enjoyable read that feels both comforting and fresh!
 
I have a bad habit of getting too attached to side characters, and now I need Julia’s book…

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆!

This is the 6th book in the Pine Hollow series. I believe it might be the last book as well. Lizzie Shane has been saving Mac and Magda for us. I've read this series in order and have been waiting to learn more about how Mac and Magda became enemies. I believe this will read fine as a stand-alone; the reading this one may make you want to go back and read everyone else's story too.

We do learn the origin of this enemies to lovers' story through memories and flashbacks. The story is told in dual POV so we get both perspectives which I enjoyed. Magda owns Pine Hollows bakery and Mac owns the local diner. They both get onto a reality tv baking competition where they have to compete against each other among others.

I loved Mac and Magda's bantering. Sparks were definitely flying. The forced proximity and intensity of filming the show ensured both sparring and seeing each other in a new light. I thoroughly enjoyed their shifting relationship and growth. And the chemistry!! The cooking show setting was definitely a bonus.

While we weren't in Pine Hollow for much of the story (offsite at the cooking show) we did get some cameos of previous characters which was fun.

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

This is the sixth and final book in the Lizzie Shane’s Pine Hollow series. I’ve read and enjoyed all the previous books in the series. This book can easily be read as a stand alone as most of the book does not take place in Pine Hollow. Magda Miller runs a successful bakery shop in Pine Hollow, Vermont. Mackenzie Newton runs a coffee shop and bakery in the same town. Magda earns a spot on a reality baking show, a thinly disguised version of The Great British Bake-Off. She is surprised to learn they’ve changed the format this time, bringing on arch rivals of each contestant. Her nemesis Mac is there.

This is one of the better books I’ve read with a baking show format. Half the characters on the show don’t need to be developed much as they are villains to Magda’s new baking buddies. This allows more time to be spent with the focus on Magda and Mac. There are flashbacks to the summer when Magda was crushing on Mac. And time for them to talk about their past. It helps that Pine Hollow is small and their friend group is integrated, meaning they know each other fairly well.

Shane’s books are low angst, clean for language and this one is fully closed door. She has had one of her stories made into a Hallmark movie. I thought Lizzie's character was a little clearer than Mac’s. It took a long time to understand why he wears Broadway t-shirts. And he bugged me at first because I hate male characters that call women pet names when they don’t like it. I find it disrespectful and never endearing like authors want it to be. But that is my issue. It is very common in romances.

I enjoyed the story very much. I would have liked a catch up on all of couples from the previous book so it seeing where they are now. I just like to know their HEA’s are continuing. This is easy to recommend on its own or enjoy the entire series.

Oh Lizzie Shane. I really loved "Like Cates & Dogs." Arch-nemesis's who are pitted against each other in a reality baking show? I am not sure what could be better, especially as I love watching cooking/baking competition shows and this gives a nice behind the scenes sneak peek. Fantastic character development, great pace, and a super fun read.

This was utterly deli9htful! It has all the feels. Enemies to lovers story, with the fun of a baking show (think Great British Baker vibes). And of course cats and dogs. I loved it!

What a cute book! Such an enjoyable read. An enemy to lovers, slow burn. My favorite part was there was potential for a miscommunication and third act breakup but BOOM they communicated and talked like normal people. Mac and Magda were both fantastic characters. I loved their relationship and each of their personal development.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever publishing for this ARC!

I was ecstatic to realize this was a part of a series, because I had so much fun reading it. I'll be checking the other 5 books in the Pine Hollow series.

I can hardly believe it. Lizzie Shane’s Pine Hollow series has finally come to an end. Like Cats & Dogs is the sixth and final book in the sweetest, small town romance series that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading ever since discovering the town in The Twelve Dogs of Christmas in 2020. In this last book, readers finally get Magda and Mac’s story. Friends, it was worth the wait.

Here’s the book’s description:

Magda Miller’s feud with rival baker Mackenzie Newton is so old, folks in tiny Pine Hollow, Vermont forgot how it started. But Magda remembers: Ten years ago, she offered Mac her heart—instead, he ran off with her grandmother's maple cake recipe. Now, Mac traipses all over Magda’s baking territory, just like his oversized tabby keeps sneaking into her house to claim her dog’s favorite bed. So, when Magda gets the call to compete on The Great American Cake-Off, she’s thrilled to finally shine in a Mac-free zone. But when she arrives on set, her devilishly handsome nemesis is already there . . .

It turns out, Mac and Magda’s story has inspired the first ever Arch Rivals edition of Cake-Off, and of course Mac has to raise the stakes with a wager. The winner takes all—the Cake-Off title, the contested recipe, and control of the narrative. Magda is more than ready to kick Mac’s Bundt. But as they spar, on-screen and off, Mac and Magda reveal the best in each other...and the sizzling attraction fueling their rivalry. Only one of them can win, so why does it suddenly feel like they both stand to lose?

I’ll be honest: I was a little worried that Magda and Mac’s love story would be a bit of a letdown. I mean, they’ve been at each other's throats for some reason for the last five books. Clearly they needed to be kissing, not fighting, but they hadn’t figured that out yet. Their rivalry had been completely overblown and, truthfully, finding out the “why” still didn’t really satisfy me. I don’t think we needed the cake thing but I did enjoy that final recipe revelation! Once they figured out the kissing thing, they were fire. This is a sweet, closed door romance but the sexual tension between these two should satisfy readers who enjoy more spice in their books. I also appreciated the relationship arc - everything made sense and there wasn’t a stupid third act breakup. There were problems, sure, but it all worked for me.

I loved that Magda and Mac were competing on a baking show. I ADORE watching baking shows and I actually binged a bunch of episodes while and after reading this one. My favourite is, naturally, The Great British Bake Off and I enjoy the Canadian version as well. While I didn’t like the changes the showrunner had made to the baking show, I DID like that the characters didn’t like it either! I watch these types of baking shows because they’re low stakes and the competitors actually seem to like and respect each other. In the characters’ season? All that was thrown out the window. It was a fun little peek into the world of reality TV and I had a lot of fun reading it.

Magda and Mac were delightful characters. I liked that they’re a little bit older (as I’m getting older myself) because they knew themselves pretty well. It wouldn’t be a romance without them both needing to work on some of their issues but, at their cores, they knew what was best for them and, thank goodness, they realized they were good for each other.

If you want a sweet series to dive into, I definitely recommend Lizzie Shane’s Pine Hollow series. The books are so lovely and I’m thrilled to have read Like Cats & Dogs. It’s a fitting end to the series and, while I’m sad it’s finally over, I think this was a great finale.

Check out my reviews of all the Pine Hollow Books

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas

Once Upon a Puppy

To All the Dogs I've Loved Before

Pride & Puppies

Four Weddings and a Puppy

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

Just another adorable and fun book to read from Lizzie Shane! The enemies to lovers trope is one of my favorites and I love the use of it here. The tension built between Magda & Mac is so entertaining! I laughed pretty hard at times during their conversations (sometimes yelling matches) with each other. All the baking challenges along with so much silliness happening in the kitchen adds even more delight to the story. The romance between Magda & Mac is fairly predictable yet it works for them. And as always, Shane has included some furry friends for all animal lovers!

A decade old feud, two bakers, and one reality television show, what could possibly go wrong? Well, a lot it would seem for the rival bakers, not least of which, their pets hate each other. Magda and Mac have had a feud for almost as long as anyone in their small town can remember but not the actual reason for it. Magda has finally made it on to the baking show she's wanted to do forever and is extremely excited to get a fresh start and prove to herself she can do it. Only one minor problem, who is there when she gets to the filming but her nemesis Mac.
I really enjoyed the banter of the characters and how it felt like while their rivalry was intense it was realistic to come back from and forgive/forget. Mac was the perfect nonchalant charismatic counterpart to Magda's nervous somewhat tense persona which throughout the book they were able to become more open and honest with themselves and each other. I loved all the side characters and the background of the baking show because it gave some real stakes and a sense of time. The one thing is it might have been a tad repetitive or drawn on the baking side although I understand why and it did really feel like I was witnessing the filming of a baking competition. All in all the story was very sweet(just like cake!) and I fell in love with the characters.

oh this book was so good. the perfect ending to the Pine Hollow series.

I’ve read a few reality tv competition books and have been let down so much, but one was so well done! It kept me on the edge of my seat and the challenges felt real enough that you could actually imagine them. I could tell the author put a lot of thought into the challenges and the timeline of the story and I appreciated it so so much.

Also, finally getting to learn the details about Mac & Magda’s feud was *chefs kiss*. Now I just want to go back and reread the whole series from the beginning to experience it again.

easy five stars for me. this book tugged on my heart strings and made me laugh (and cry) out of pure joy.