Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. This is the story of a woman who is accidently thrown together with a lost love and the father of her very cute daughter. The two reconnect to find love, family and happiness together with one really cool Rottweiler. I enjoyed this light-hearted fun story. It brought smiles to my face after a couple of long hard days. Looking forward to reading more from Lee Tobin McClain.

The Veteran's Valentine Helper is a cute little book with all the feel good tropes. Second chance romance, K-9 helper, forced proximity, single mom, and wounded Vet to make you want to sit and listen or read it all in one sitting.
McClain grabbed me right from the get go with her characters that you can relate to and the fact that they are likeable. With characters you love and love to hate, I found myself rooting for everyone and wanting more and more. The storyline was good and well executed. It was a very clean novel. Romance but not spice, typical of a Harlequin novel.

Overall, the book was great. I did not read the others in the series and didn't feel like I was missing out or missing vital information because of it. However, now that I know there are other books written about the characters in this book, I will most likely go and find them to read as well.

I listened to this book as an audiobook and found myself listening along at a rapid pace wanting to know more and enjoying the book. The narrator did a wonderful job.

The Veteran’s Valentine Helper by Lee Tobin McClain. Narration by Kristin Kallen-Keck. She did a great job on narrating the book, you could easily distinguish between the characters. April Collins and her 6yr old twins move back to her hometown to help an author write his book. They have a limited time to do this. Little to her surprise the author is the love of her life who left her without looking back. Frank Wilkins left April 7yrs ago after his father told him that she was cheating on him. Now that they are face to face, can they resolve the wrong that was done? Can he open his heart to April and his twins that he knew nothing about? Great beach read. Thank you to #NetGalley, #Harlequin Audio and the author for this Arc read. This is my honest review.

I always enjoy this author’s books and that was the case with The Veteran’s Valentine help. Great plot and character development. I recommend this book.

The Veteran’s Valentine Helper by Lee Tobin McClain is a heartwarming and emotionally charged audiobook that blends romance, family, and second chances with a special touch of canine charm. Frank Wilkins, a cop-turned-author, is ready to tell his story about a life-changing narcotics bust, but when his ex-girlfriend April Collins shows up as his ghostwriter, their past is dredged up. Despite their history, Frank agrees to work with April, and soon he finds himself not just connecting with her but growing close to her adorable twins and their bond with his service dog, Dozer.

McClain crafts a touching narrative about healing, forgiveness, and unexpected families. The chemistry between Frank and April is palpable as they navigate old wounds and new beginnings, while the presence of Dozer adds an extra layer of heart to the story. April’s secret adds a layer of tension to the plot, and listeners will be hooked to see whether the truth will bring them together or tear them apart.

With McClain’s skillful storytelling and the emotional depth of the characters, The Veteran’s Valentine Helper is a perfect listen for fans of contemporary romance and stories about overcoming the past. It’s a delightful and uplifting tale about love, redemption, and the joy of finding a family in the most unexpected places.

I received an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of this audiobook from NetGalley & Harlequin Audio.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

The journey to a new and fulfilling life is just to start, right? April needs a new and fresh start for herself and her twins. She never would have guessed that that journey would bring her back to the beginning.

Frank is ready to heal and write about his experiences that led him to what left him with his disability. He needs a ghostwriter and never in his wildest dreams would he think that his ex-girlfriend would be the one who was hired.

It’s a shock to them both. They make the best out of the situation.
The twins are adorable and will give you a smile anytime they get mentioned in the book.
You see the family they both desperately wanted but never thought they could have.
I really loved the way the book was laid out and how they came together. All it took was great communication and the willingness to try.

The narration was okay, I found Kristen to be a little monotone at the beginning but by the end of the book she gave warmth and gravity to the book.

The Veteran's Valentine Helper by Lee Tobin McClain
An Uplifting Inspirational Romance
(K-9 Companions Book 29)
Can a special K-9…
Guide him to an unexpected family?
Despite the painful memories, cop-turned-author Frank Wilkins is ready to write about the narcotics bust that left him with a disability. But he never expected his agent to hire his ex-girlfriend April Collins as a live-in ghostwriter. Seeing her desperation to provide for her twins, Frank agrees to try the arrangement, despite her past betrayal. Soon, the kids’ adorable charm and their quick bond with his service dog, Dozer, have Frank’s heart thawing fast. But April’s hiding a secret from him. Will the truth end their partnership…or turn Valentine’s Day into forever?
This is April Collins and her twins Eli and Evelyn's story.
This is Frank's story.
April Collins parked in front of her new temporary home, yawned and stretched tired muscles. Driving all night had been best for her six-year-old twins, but she was exhausted.
She looked up at the blue sky and thanked God for a sunny day and a truck that had made it from Chicago to Western Pennsylvania.
A fresh start for the new year. She’d grown up here in Holiday Point, rebelled and gotten her heart broken here, and had escaped the town eagerly. Now she hoped it would be a refuge.
“We get to live here?” Evelyn asked from the back seat. For once, she sounded the way a six-year-old should: happy and filled with wonder.
“Where?” Eli, Evelyn’s twin, let out an audible yawn. When April looked back, Evelyn had already unfastened her seat belt and climbed out of her booster seat. She assisted her brother with the same task.
“We’re in Holiday Point, where I grew up, and we do get to live here for a little while.
A car pulled into the driveway of the big house, and hope warred with nerves inside her. Time to meet the man with whom she’d be working closely for the next six weeks. This could be great, or...not.
The car parked and the driver got out, then ran his hand over the top of his head in a characteristic move that April had never forgotten. She sucked in a breath and put a hand to her racing heart, nearly bowled over by discordant, clanging emotions from the past.
Walking toward her, leaning a little on a large, harnessed dog, was Frank Wilkins.
Frank Wilkins walked toward the carriage house on the property his agent had rented for him. He looked at the woman standing in front of it.
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
I recommend this book.
The Veteran's Valentine Helper by Lee Tobin McClain is a 5 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own
I am looking forward to reading more books by Lee Tobin McClain.
More books by Lee
K-9 Companions
Book 4: Her Easter Prayer by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 10: The Veteran's Holiday Home by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 14: A Friend to Trust by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 16: A Companion for Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 23: A Companion for His Son by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 26: His Christmas Salvation by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 29: The Veteran's Valentine Helper by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 33: Holding Onto Secrets by Lee Tobin McClain

Lee Tobin McClain’s “The Veteran’s Valentine Helper” audio narrated by Kristen Kallen-Keck is a story of secrets, lies, and love. Lies can change lives and hurt that can have lasting effects but with the hope of a happy future with her children, April Collins bravely fights to be successful. Being a single mother of six-year-old twins is a handful and trying to make enough money to be able to do right by the twins April Collins takes a job as a ghostwriter where her housing in her hometown is provided by the author seems like an answer to a prayer. Not knowing who the author is until she gets to her new housing she is shocked to find out it's her old boyfriend who dumped her without a word. They decide to try working together. Frank Eilkins isn't happy to find out the ghostwriter is April and her two kids who will be living in the same quarters as him and his service dog. Frank was wounded in the Army and needs his dog to help keep his balance. He holds resentment against April but something about her and the twins also melts his heart. They don't discuss the past they try to just move on but old feelings are painful.
The twins love the dog and they are so sweet Frank has a hard time and doesn't know if he can do this.
Great book, love the fact they are strong in their faith and there are no swearing or riskay sections. A wholesome book that keeps you interested and has a good storyline also how important excellent service dogs are.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this audio. This is my honest opinion.

Lee Tobin McClain delivers a heartwarming and emotionally rich story in The Veteran's Valentine Helper, a tale of second chances, love, and healing. This audiobook brings the story to life with a compelling narration that enhances the charm and depth of the characters, making it an engaging listen from start to finish.

The story follows a veteran grappling as he unexpectedly finds himself enlisted in a Valentine’s project that changes his outlook on life. Along the way, he crosses paths with his love interest whose own struggles and resilience spark a connection that is as heartwarming as it is transformative. McClain’s ability to balance romance with themes of personal growth and emotional healing makes this story stand out.

The narrator’s performance is a highlight, capturing the nuances of the characters with skill and authenticity. From the gruff yet vulnerable tones of the veteran to the warmth and strength of the love interest, the narration adds an extra layer of emotional depth to the story. The pacing is smooth, ensuring the listener remains captivated throughout, and the narrator’s ability to infuse emotion into the dialogue makes the characters’ journeys feel real and relatable.

McClain’s writing shines through in the audiobook format, with vivid descriptions and heartfelt moments that resonate deeply. Themes of love, community, and redemption are woven seamlessly into the narrative, creating a story that is as inspiring as it is romantic.

Final Thoughts: The Veteran's Valentine Helper by Lee Tobin McClain is a delightful audiobook that combines a touching love story with meaningful themes of healing and hope. The engaging narration brings the characters and their journeys to life, making it a must-listen for fans of heartfelt romances and uplifting stories. Whether you’re a longtime fan of McClain or new to her work, this audiobook is sure to leave a lasting impression.

This is a Second Chance Romance, and this is the 29th book in the K-9 Companions series. I have read some of the other books in this series, but this book is written to be read as a standalone without any problems. I do not think there is anything you would miss reading this as a standalone. I listened to the audiobook for this book, and I felt the narrator was good. This book is a slow paced book that was hard to get into for me. I did enjoy this book after I got pulled into the story, but it was not a book that I could not put down. I also wanted more of the K-9 in this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Frank Wilkins’ last case was undoubtedly his most perilous, as it left him with a permanent disability. He intends to write a book about it, which was a significant narcotics bust. His agent has hired a ghostwriter for Frank—none other than his former girlfriend, April Collins. Not only will April be cohabitating with him, but her young twins will also be joining them.

Initially, April is taken aback to discover that Frank is the author she will be writing for. However, he is her old flame, unaware that he is the father of her twins. Moreover, April has decided to stay and provide her children with permanent stability.

When April decides to reveal Frank’s paternity, it could pose a significant challenge for her. She must begin writing Frank’s book while the children adjust to their new circumstances. Fortunately, the children quickly bond with Frank’s service dog, Dozer, and they also connect with Frank almost immediately.

This heartwarming story by Lee Tobin McClain is a delightful read. While I haven’t read most of the previous books in this series, this book stands as a compelling standalone novel. Any story featuring children and dogs is a win for me, and this book certainly achieved that goal. The narration was pleasant and made for an enjoyable listening experience.

Many thanks to Harlequin Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

After being injured while undercover, former cop Frank Wilkins was left with a disability and earned him his service K-9, Dozer. He’s decided to write a book about his experience and a ghostwriter has been sent to help him.
Single mom of twins April Collins is that person. She left town after her heart was broken and has decided to return home so that the kids get a chance to experience and enjoy small town living. A huge change from Chicago.
What neither expected was to discover the person each thought had betrayed them is the one they’ll be working with. As they manage to walk through a minefield of old feelings, good and bad, the attraction reignites.
The twins seem to soften Frank’s heart. What will happen when a secret is revealed? What about that they thought was true, isn’t?
This is a clean , Christian romance about opening one’s heart to God. It’s also a story about forgiveness, communication and second chances in life and love.
The storyline was engaging and the characters likable.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley and Harlequin Audio. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

"The Veteran's Valentine Helper" by Lee Tobin McClain is a sweet story about a single mom of twins coming back home with the kids to raise them in the small town she was raised in after living in Chicago for many years. Little does she know, the person she comes to work for with the job that brought her back home is the twin's estranged father who doesn't know they are his.

There are strong family ties and also some not so good family backstories in this one. This is a second chance romance with cute kids creating lighter moments in the story. I hadn't read or listened to any of the other books in the series and found this to be a good standalone though there are other stories alluded to in this book. I listened to the audiobook and the audiobook was well done. For fans of Love Inspired books, this is a must read!

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to an audiobook ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The veteran valentine is a clean romance This is a second chance romance. Could April and her twins trust the man who six years ago became the father then abandon Ed them

A short sweet, small town, second chance, inclusive romance. Through a twist of fate Frank and April are brought back together. Will their past get in the way of them getting back together or set them on the path to their happily ever after? A nice storyline that leads to exactly what we read/listen to these books for. Though part of a series, this was the first for me and it read nicely as a stand alone.