Mac and Magda are rival bakers in a small Vermont town. Magda wants Mac to stop selling his maple cake, she swears he stole her grandmother’s famous maple cake recipe. When she gets a call to appear on a reality baking show, she jumps at the chance to get away from Pine Hollow and Mac.
Unbeknownst to her, their feud has sparked a new version of the show, called Arch Rivals. Instead of getting away from Mac, now Magda has to compete against him on TV.
As the series progresses, Mac and Magda get closer and closer as the competition brings out the best in each other. Can they move past their years long feud?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have not previously read the Pine Hollow series, but the description of Like Cats & Dogs by Lizzie Shane intrigued me, and so I decided to give it a try. With the state of the world and with my own goal of reducing my time on social media, I've been looking for books that are an escape. This book fit that bill.

As noted above, I have not read any of the Pine Hollow books before Like Cats & Dogs, but this book made it easy to slip into the series. I did not feel lost or like I could not make sense of the book without having read the others. The book was well rounded and able to standalone, and I did not have to read the first five before reading this one.

The premise is a fun premise, an enemies to lovers romance. I've read a couple romance books lately that have had a baking show premise, but this one is unique enough that it doesn't feel like I'm reading something I've already read. The Arch-Rivals element added a fun twist, and the author did a great job at fleshing out the supporting characters, not just the main characters. While it was centered on baking, that was also well done with how it was described in proportion to the other world building and plot advancement. The book was a quick read, and I really enjoyed it.

Please be advised I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is part of an interconnected standalone series which I always love, because I didn't read the other books in the series & didn't feel like I was missing anything while reading this book.. However, this book simply wasn't for me, & that's okay! I can appreciate the writing & how if this reached the right audience, people would really like this. If you like the Great British Baking Show then definitely read this!

In this fun and fierce modern romance novel, readers follow Magda Miller and Mackenzie Newton, baking rivals in Pine Hollow, Vermont, whose feud is so legendary that no one knows how it started. With his theft of her grandmother’s maple cake recipe and his cat’s intrusions on her apartment, Magda is looking for a place to shine away from their rivalry, and The Great American Cake-Off might be just it. However, when she arrives on set, Mac is there too because their rivalry inspired the Arch Rivals edition of the show, and Magda has to win when Mac says that whoever wins gets the show title, the recipe, and control over their feud’s narrative. With more than just cakes baking, readers will love the attraction, hatred, and history between the two narrators and their complicated dynamics, and readers will also love the balance between their perspectives over the course of the novel. The characters are absolutely the star of the show, and readers will love how the tropes of the romance genre come into play over the course of the novel’s events. With brilliant emotions, strong and relatable storylines, and fantastic character dynamics between Mac, Magda, and the other baker duos, readers will absolutely love this new and intense friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance novel.

Even as everyone around them settled down and found love, Magda and Mackenzie, continued to only find their feud continue to brew in small Pine Hollow, Vermont. While some might not even remember how it started, Magda sure does. After breaking her heart and stealing her grandmother’s famous maple cake recipe, Magda still despises Mac, but now it’s set in their dueling bakeries and cafes. Magda believe she has a break in life when she is selected to compete on The Great American Cake-Off. Only this year it’s the Arch Rivals edition of Cake-Off and also selected is none other than her top rival, Mac. As she knows she can take him in this competition, she ready for a winner take all. Perhaps it’s the heat of the competition or the stage lights, but more than just the ovens begin heating up in their world and the two start to see each other a bit differently. Maybe during this year’s Cake-Off, it’s more than just cakes and sweets that will be winning over heats.

As the author said, there was no other way to end the Pine Hollow series. I loved every book in this series and I think Magda and Mac were a perfect way to wrap up each story. I always get a bit sad when a series I like ends, but I hope the author will continue with other books and even a new series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC! Like Cats & Dogs by Lizzie Shane is such a cute read! Even better, it’s an enjoyable & easy read! Absolutely a book for people looking to spend the afternoon cozy with a nice romcom.

I know this book is part of the Pine Hollow series by Shane, but I read this one as a stand alone and that was completely fine! Magda and Mac’s story can absolutely be read separate from the rest of the series. I am interested and going back to read the prior books, but only because of how much I enjoyed this one not because I feel like I was missing anything. If you’re going to read any of the series as a stand alone this is probably a good one to do so anyway, since a lot of the book is set outside of Pine Hollow. Though if you are a fan of this series, I’d absolutely recommend continuing with this book because I’m sure there’s things that fans will appreciate that will enhance the story!

I think I really enjoyed the premise of this romance, with the two rivals competing against each other on a reality baking competition. The banter between our two main characters was pretty fun! I found both Magda and Mac to be interesting characters. Even though I couldn’t really relate to them, I really still thought they were both pretty delightful. And they had great chemistry!

There are flashbacks to their past which served the story well I think. It’s a dual POV, something that was also done well. Sometimes I find dual POV can make the story feel messy but here it definitely worked great.

Like Cats & Dogs is a good book for people who like low stakes angst in their romance and who like characters who feel real and who can actually communicate with each other. It is also perfect for anyone looking for closed door romances. I think anyone looking for an easy read, with a sweet and enjoyable story will be entertained by this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing for the e-ARC of this title to read and review. WOW did I really love this book! I didn't realize before reading that it was part of a series (and looks to be the end of the Pine Hollow 6-book series?) but it was a totally wonderful standalone. I think it just would have enriched my reading if I'd already come to know this charming town and its lovable residents, but it didn't take anything away for this being my first introduction.

I really loved Magda and Mac and their rivalry, but them getting to know each other was even better. I have read a surprising amount of romances with a reality TV show theme at its core (I guess I have a type!) and this one was really well done. I could clearly envision the set of their Cake-Off reality show, and if I liken it to the Great British Baking Show style show, I could TOTALLY see how off-putting it would be for a cozy show that's all about baking talent to suddenly have a high-drama plot filled with enemies and sabotage and rivalries. (Fictional show producers!!! Some of the enemy pairs were SO unfair.) But it was such a great plot for this baking themed enemies-to-lovers story to play out, and I was there for all of it. I also thought the leads handled their issues (aside from their decade-long feud itself) very maturely, with a lot of faith and trust in one another. So there weren't any frustrating moments for the reader that are just like, dumb miscommunications or blown out of proportion drama.

Clearly I loved this book, and am going back through Lizzie Shane's catalog to read the series from the start!

This book was super cute and not at all what I was expecting. Given the title and the cover, I thought that this would be following two people and their pets as the primary storyline. What was inside was much more sweet (literally) as we follow two bakers through their journey as contestants on a fictional Great British Baking Show. The chemistry here is great, and if you tend to shy away from steamier books, this one has tension and a little bit of descriptions of romantic scenes, but is mostly fade to black.

This was a cute book about rivals mac and Magda who end up on the same bake off show. At first they deny their attraction for each other and are rooting for the other to go home. But as time progresses they realize there is more to each other. It was very cute but very predictable and really didnt have much to do with the title.

I’m such a fan of the Pine Hollow series, and while you can totally enjoy these books as stand-alones, it’s so fun catching up with the quirky townsfolk in each one!

Magda and Mac have been feuding for ages—does anyone even remember why it started? All we know is the town has taken sides, they’re both incredible bakers, and now they’re going head-to-head on a reality baking show. What could possibly go wrong?

This one’s officially my new favorite in the series! The banter and chaos are top-notch, and honestly, throw in a reality TV element, and I’m hooked. It’s a quick, super fun read, and I can’t recommend it enough. Short review, but honestly—just read it!

A series I very much enjoy - with some of other of her titles made into TV movies (you know the channel!), this one would translate perfectly to the screen!

The long-time baking rivalry between Magda and Mac, stemming back to taking baking classes in a nearby town where they carpooled, talked about teaming up, her baking her grandmother’s famous “man-catching” cake and him stealing the recipe, leading to a decade long feud… ends with them battling it out on a TV competition show, rivals edition. What could be more entertaining than that, except the entire town taking sides, and only patronizing his cafe or her bakery?

This is definitely an amusing story, made better with some excellent twist, great new friendships and perfect chemistry. Shane is a fantastic clean romance author and I always look forward to her books. Like Cats & Dogs has to do not just with their pets who don’t get along but their long time rivalry about that cake, the TV cooking competition, and how much they can do to each other to try and win. A fantastic time reading this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the advance copy. I really enjoyed it! This is my honest opinion. I definitely recommend it to everyone! Perfect for all romance readers, especially because it’s a clean read.

3.75 stars
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This was a cute read! I didn't realize it was part of a series, Like Cats & Dogs, which can be read standalone, but I would have enjoyed it a bit more had I read the entire series. The author does an amazing job at painting the picture of Pine Hollow and the overall vibe was - I think I would have connected with some of the characters more had I known more of the lore.

Our plot focuses on two rival bakers Magda and Mac as they compete in a popular baking competition Cake-off. This season is a bit different, in this archrival season, each baker is faced-off with a rival of theirs; from family members, competitors, and even ex-husbands! I had a hard time believing a show would do something like this, and it does come into the plot later on when a former competitor sues the production company for not letting them know someone from their past would be competing against them.

I enjoyed the banter between Magda and Mac, I think the reason why they're rivals is a bit juvenile. When Magda is eighteen, she helps out Mac with a business plan and falls for him along the way, when she confesses her love to him it's not well received. There's also an accusation over a stolen maple cake recipe. With better communication, I think these two characters could have sorted things out and not let it get as far.

I enjoyed the baking competition aspect, as someone who grew up on baking shows, this was nostalgic for me. I wish we would have gotten more in-depth scenes of them competing. At points it feels like on one page they're jut starting the challenge, only for you to flip the page and they're now being judged.
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I would like to thank Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever, Lizzie Shane, and NetGalley for a copy of Like Cats & Dogs in excahnge for an honest review. All thoughts and opinons are my own. Like Cats & Dogs was published on November 12th, 2024 and is part of the Pine Hollow series, you can read this and others in the series now!

This wasn’t a bad book, but it wasn’t quite for me. I went into it assuming the cat and dog would be major parts of the book, but it switched early on to a reality tv setting, which is one of my least favourite plots for a romcom novel. Though the characters were fun, I wound up deciding not to finish it, but I’ve recommended it to a couple of friends who love baking and reality tv.

Magda and Mac's opposites attract, finally the right time, enemies to lovers story set against the backdrop of an Americanized GBBO was delightful! A quick, fun read that kept me reading to see how these two were going to make it work!

Like Cats and Dogs was a wonderful read. I love cooking shows so it was fun to read a book that takes place in a baking competition.

Mac and Magda were wonderful MCs and I could feel the chemistry between them from the beginning. I haven't read the other books in the series but I felt like I wasn't really missing much. Loved the dual POV. I really helped the story to be told.

I read this book in one sitting and I think I will return to Pine Hollow to check out the other books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.

This book is my perfect setting - a US version of Great British Bake Off?! Yes please! Magda is such a lovely character who really looks to challenge herself for the sake of achieving what she wants in life. I picture Mac as a younger, auburn-haired Luke (from Gilmore Girls) who is easy-going but can get riled up by the right person without actually being angry. I loved the twist the show provided (even though I would agree with Magda’s opinion on it for the sake of the show). There was a nice balance of other characters and I really appreciated the extra perspective that Julia provided. I felt like an insider on the reality cooking shows! Some inner dialogue parts felt unnecessarily long, but I loved how the cooking and food parts were not overly detailed. The story was really about the characters and not the baking, which was appreciated. The grand conclusion was on the cheesy side, but still good and this book really had my perfect spice level! I will be looking to read even more from this author! 4.5⭐️, 1.5🌶

I really enjoyed this installment!!! My one “complaint” is there aren’t as many dogs and cats in this one as other books. But it’s still a great story! And I highly recommend the entire series!

What a fun book! If you wait on pins and needles for the newest episode of Great British Bake Off or Food Network Holiday Baking Championship or any of the plethora of other reality cooking/baking competitions available to view, you are going to love this book!

For the final book in her Pine Hollow series (I do not want to say good-bye to these characters!), Lizzie Shane has created a fast-paced, enemies-to-lovers story with snappy banter, sizzling chemistry, drool-worthy food, plenty of humor, but also heart, an enthusiastic, meddling, but supportive friend group, adorable dogs, and one lone cat who you will never convince me didn't know exactly what it was doing.

The characters are well-developed with intriguing layers that are slowly revealed, and not only Magda and Mac. The kitchen scenes are especially fun. Shane really nails the atmosphere - both on screen and off - of what I would expect from a rivals edition of a reality show. It's fun to observe the friendships that form while also rooting for the "villains" to be cast out of the kitchen. And it's not just the contestants who create the drama.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in this series. They are tied together through the group of friends, with a different couple - and dog - featured in each book yet can be read in any order. If you enjoy humor, heart, animals, friendships, emotional depth, and endearing romance, give this book - and this series - a try. I highly recommend it.

4.5 stars
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

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. 💙