This was adorable! Cute dogs, cute romance, low drama, what more can you ask for? The second chance elements were nicely set up (without feeling like the original breakup was pointless), and both leads were swoony in all the best ways.

This is the second in a series, but you do not need to read the first one to understand it. Though I might go back and read Pardon My Frenchie for some more cute dogs and NOLA vibes :)

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

I am rating this book a 3.75 overall. I got to read this early thanks to NetGalley. This was my first time reading a book by this author and I enjoyed it. It was a cute, slow burn. Like really sloooow burn, they didn’t kiss until about 56% in and it was still a mild kiss haha. If you are in the mood for a romance that focuses more on the FMC and MMC emotional connection building rather than having a lot of the book focus on the spicy scenes, then I think you will enjoy this. It was refreshing to read a book that had minimal spicy scenes and even then the spicy scenes were more toned down compared to other books I’ve read. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy those books too but it was nice to read something different. I enjoyed the contemporary references. It’s not a 4 or above because 90% into the book the FMC and MMC had an argument that I was not expecting, especially after they had made a lot of progress so it just seemed unnecessary. Or I would’ve liked it more if they had communicated sooner and not waited as long. Overall still a cute read and loved that fur babies made many appearances throughout the book.

This was so stinking cute!

This is filled with an adorable romance, cute dogs, and wonderful friendships. Evie and Bryson were so adorable. I loved them so much. They had a great friendship that blossomed into more. The built up to the romance was written wonderfully and had so many swoon worthy moments. This one is for the slow burn lovers.

This was a low stakes/drama story but it did have a little bit to keep things interesting. The drama is mostly with side characters like Evie's and Bryson's family members. I would mostly say this is a feel-good story though.

A wonderful romance for dog lovers!

Loved this story! I read it quickly, and loved the tension between the two main characters. The way I wanted to hug Evie and Bryson’s dogs!!! This is the perfect book for any dog lover who appreciates competency in a man.

Read if you like: Grey’s Anatomy (but make it vets), dogs (duh), second-chance romance, teaming up for the sake of a good cause, and a light sprinkling of spice

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with a copy of the book.

Set in New Orleans, Evie runs into her college crush just after breaking up with her cheating fiancé. Bryson has just moved back to town, highly successful in their field. They run into each other at the dog sanctuary they volunteered at the summer they got close 8 years ago, now finding it about to close due to lack of funds. Working together to save it, Evie and Bryson deal with their past while also finding a future together.

This book as an amazing sense of place. I loved seeing them explore the city (and getting to see Bryson's hometown!). The friendships in this series stand strong as well, creating a great community as these two get their second chance at love. Farrah Rochon remains an auto-read author for me!

This romance includes:
🐕 Veterinarian main characters (great detail about their different jobs in this field)
🐕 Slow Burn
🐕 Second Chance
🐕 Waffles the Pug mix and Bella the Papillon!
🐕 Delightful descriptions of food in New Orleans
🐕 Complex relationships with parents

Fingers crossed we get Ridley and Von next!

Content Warning - death of a pet (not MC's), infidelity (FMC's ex cheats on page in first chapter, FMC's father's cheating is also described later)

Open door / some spice

5 / 5 stars

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for this eARC!

Evie’s life has been thrown for a loop when she walks in on her fiancee cheating on her. She immediately ends things by kicking him out. And who might she run into days later? Bryson, now famous vet, the only other man who has broken her heart. Forced to work together to save The Sanctuary, the pair grows close. But can Evie overcome how Bryson left without a trace all those years ago?

This book was dual pov 3rd person. The writing was captivating and I was drawn in initially but the romance was a little too slow for me. But if you like dogs, second chance romances, and slow burns this one’s for you!

Thanks netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

If you're looking for a sweet, fun read where the adults actually communicate, Pugs and Kisses is for you.

I absolutely loved the premise of this story as it's a forced proximity situation that I haven't read before. The tension between Evie and Bryson is evident from their very first on page interaction, and the slow burn between them is absolutely delicious. I am a sucker for second chance romances, and Farrah Rochon does not disappoint. Especially as she ensures that issues between the couple are addressed so that we, as readers, aren't left banging our heads against the wall at their miscommunication, or lack thereof.

I also appreciated Evie and Bryson's relationships with their respective parents. We all know our relationships with our parents change and grow as we do, and I feel as though Farrah does an exceptional job of portraying the complexity of familial relationships while not being heavy handed.

If you're a fan of slow burns, second chances, and, of course, dogs, I highly recommend Pugs and Kisses.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book - Light-hearted, funny, and easy to read. MCs Evie and Bryson were great to get to know. I liked seeing Bryson work through his insecurities about growing up poor and not feeling like he fit in with wealthy and relative fame. I recommend this book; it's a great read. Now I want to go out and sponsor an animal shelter.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

4.25/5 ⭐

A second chance romance, with cute dogs, and a mission to save the animal shelter.

Evie, a veterinarian who seems to have the perfect life, until that life crumples when she catches her fiance cheating and she have to quit her job at his practice. Feeling down she goes to the animal shelter to check on things and runs into Bryson, her summer fling from a decade ago. With the shelter at risk of shutting down they team up to rescue The Rescue, and try not to fall in love again.

This was such a cozy and wholesome book. I loved the flow of the story, the characters, and the romance. I'm struggling with a reading slump, and this helped making me want to read more. Also I love Bella and Waffles! and ofc, Evie and Bryson lol.

I highly recommend this book if you want a cute fast read, and love second chance romance.

Another Read Now steal from NetGalley and I had SUCH a nice time with this one. I really liked that the past was a big deal that wasn't ultimately and that for all the FMC was the one who should have had baggage, the MMC was the one who needed to get his shit together. Very good complicated mother/daughter relationship scene too. And the dogs were darling.

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.</i>

This book was excellent until 60% in. Then it all went downhill.

He's such a jerk! He tells her that her fiance, that she's been in a relationship with for a decade, was always a jerk and he always knew it and he's glad now she does. Who says that? That is so disrespectful and rude. She broke up with her fiance maybe two weeks ago? So a third of her life was spent with this guy and that's how he's talking to her? That's not respect.

Then she tells him she just wants to be friends and he kisses her. That's assault.

What finally did me in: he's at a school for career day and she's accompanying him, and then he says this is ”Dr Williams she's a veterinarian too! Talk to her about it." She didn't consent to that! He's making decisions for her? And telling her all her previous decisions were bad? Oh and he keeps treating her like the little rich girl and he's this authentic bayou boy ... who just bought a million dollar condo, and she gets no money from her family.

Not to mention, he ghosted her 10 years ago. They were dating for the summer and then he saw her house and she's rich so he just left. Didn't tell her they were breaking up or anything but "oh well her family's rich so I could never be a part of her life so I'm just going to piss off". Who is he to question her judgment when he acts that way?

He is immature about his family as well. "I moved back to Louisiana, so now I require you to be with me when I say." When his mom makes other plans he's angry and rude.

So far the majority of this book, even when we're in her head, is about him. I do not read books to be in the minds of men all the time. The universe gives us enough insight into men. I don't need it in my books.

We have more conversations on his side: about his family, his practice, his dog. When we're inside her head or she's talking to her friends she's mostly talking about either the fiance she kicked out for cheating, or him, the guy who ghosted her 10 years ago. She only exists for him.

That's so unfortunate, because the book had real heart and great characters and it just fell flat. It was 4 stars easy until it all went wrong.

(Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.)

The banter in this book was so good, and Evie and Bryson are adorable together. The author did a gorgeous job with the friends-to-lovers progression, and they had such great chemistry together.
The parents' storyline didn't really capture my full attention, but it was interesting.
The writing was very easy and flowed really well. I honestly couldn't put the book down!
Thank you to NetGalley, Farrah Rochon, and Forever for the eARC of this book.

Thank you to Forever for the advance reader copy of Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon.  

Dr. Evie Williams discovers at the beginning of the book that her fiancé is cheating on her. Following this revelation, she leaves the practice where they worked together. Then her college crush, Bryson Mitchell, someone who Evie has never really forgotten, returns to town. Both maintained connections to an animal shelter where they used to volunteer and both are determined to not let it close when they learn it’s at risk.

I really enjoyed this book! As soon as I started it I didn’t want to put it down. Evie and Bryson are so good together!!! Reading these two as they navigate reuniting with each other drew me in. I loved how they were brought back together and the story of these two reconnecting is so sweet. I enjoyed getting to see how both Evie and Bryson grow throughout this story. There were a few moments toward the end of the book related to Evie’s story that are highlights for me. And we get to be reunited with characters from Pardon My Frenchie!

If you enjoy a second chance romance, this is one to check out!!

For a contemporary romance, this was fine. I didn't mind the characters and the New Orleans setting was good. The end solution (throwing a high class gala together in two weeks is very impossible, said as a former event planner) felt a bit rushed.

The dogs were pretty cute.

The internal issues both characters had to go through were understandable, but the romance felt a little fast.

📖 Book Review 📖 Is Farrah Rochon a D.E.A.R. situation? After Pardon My Frenchie, the answer is a resounding yes! Dr. Evie Williams, vet and best friend extraordinaire is back with her own feature in Pugs & Kisses. Breakups are hard - especially when your ex is a cheating liar - but a new furry companion in the shape of a pug/beagle mix always makes life a little sweeter…so does the unexpected return of a former crush. New Orleans is a city that still has socioeconomic divisions and Evie and Bryson did not come from the same circle, but a beloved animal shelter named The Sanctuary brought them together years ago. Now that Bryson is back in the Big Easy and The Sanctuary is at risk of closing its doors, the two are on a mission! Farrah Rochon harmoniously combines my three favorite things into the perfect rom com: dogs, activism, and NOLA!

A cute slow burn, second chance romance with adorable pups as sidekicks? Yes please!

Evie walking into HER house to find her fiance in bed with another woman is not how she was expecting her day to go. Neither did she expect to run into the man who broke her heart and ghosted her while volunteering at the shelter where they met shortly after. But that's what happens. Evie is determined to keep her distance from Bryson, now a hotshot veterinary surgeon, while she figures out what to do with her life. Having left her job because her ex owns the veterinary clinic she worked at, it's not long before something falls into her lap: her mentor and the owner of the shelter asks for her help raising money to save it. The only thing is, he's asked Bryson too. Hell bent on keeping things in the past, Evie begrudgingly says yes to helping, but it's not long before she can no longer ignore the feelings Bryson gave her all those years ago - and now. She can't move forward with him until she knows why he left in the first place, and are the people they are now still compatible enough to be together?

This was a cute romance, and I really loved the banter between Evie and Bryson. I think the author did a really good job of showing how strong their friendship had been/is now, and how that played into the strength of them starting something new. I also loved how the story wrapped up, and how it set up for the next book in the series.

I did feel a bit of a disconnect with the parents storyline. Both Bryson and Evie have slightly strained relationships with their parents. And while Evie got a little bit of resolution with her mom, Bryson's issues weren't really addressed in a serious sense, moreso just in an offhand way. I also felt like the majority of the plot happened in the last 40% of the book, which I don't mind but it could be a very slow start for other readers.

I would recommend this to slow burn romance lovers, especially those who love dogs in a story!

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Pugs and Kisses was a cute story. I really enjoyed the second chance romance as well as the supportive friendships throughout.

I really liked how dogs were part of the story. Bits of romance was nice too. The book was a little too many pages than I liked. The cover looked good too.

I fell in love with the title (how adorable is that?), and then fell in love with the book itself. Farrah Rochon’s Pugs and Kisses is the ultimate serotonin boost: a feel good, dog filled, sweet second chance romance that hit every one of my soft spots. The writing is just so flowy and warm, and I genuinely couldn’t put it down. I was totally locked in from page one. And we can all agree that any book featuring romance AND dogs is going to hit.

Evie and Bryson? Instant chemistry, rich backstory, and such beautifully messy, vulnerable conversations. It’s been nearly a decade since their college summer fling, and their reconnection comes with a big helping of regret, reflection, and some very satisfying groveling (which I loved). Their emotional journey unfolds at the perfect pace, making every moment feel earned.

The plot was so well done! Both main characters are veterinarians (yes to Black vet rep 🙌), and they’re brought back together to help save the dog sanctuary they volunteered at back in college. I was totally invested in every twist and turn, and the way it all came together at the end was perfect. Also, the dynamic between their rescue dogs, Waffles and Bella, was just as charming as their own romance.

Evie’s growth post breakup was one of my favorite arcs. Watching her break free from the expectations placed on her and find her own joy again? Ugh, I loved it. And Bryson, with all his baggage, acknowledging it and actually putting in the work to heal? We love a self-aware king.

Also, can we talk about the New Orleans setting? It was vibrant. From the food to the bayou, Farrah Rochon brings the city to life, grounding the romance with a strong sense of place and real world issues like gentrification. It added so much texture to the story, and although I have never been to Louisiana, I desperately want to go now.

And yes, I totally think Book 3 is going to be Ridley and Von and YES, I need it immediately.

🚨TW/CW: On page pet death (not the MCs pet), cheating (Evie’s ex + her parents’ history), strained parent relationships.

If you loved Pardon My Frenchie, this one might just top it (Evie was the perfect choice for a spin off). If you haven’t read the first, this still stands beautifully on its own, but you’ll want to go back and meet the whole friend group after! This series is aging like fine wine and I have no notes. Just smiles, swoons, and a heart full of puppy love.

Thank you to NetGalley, Farrah Rochon, and Forever for the eARC of this book.

Farrah Rochon’s Pugs and Kisses is the kind of feel-good romance that sneaks up on you. It is equal parts tender, funny, and full of heart. Set against the lively backdrop of New Orleans, Rochon gives readers a second-chance love story wrapped in the cozy charm of rescue dogs and old friendships.

Evie and Bryson’s chemistry feels both natural and earned, making their emotional journey as satisfying as it is swoon-worthy. Rochon doesn’t rush the romance. Instead, she lets it build slowly, mixing in just enough banter, vulnerability, and pug-fueled chaos to keep the story grounded and sincere.

This book isn’t just about love between two people. It is about rebuilding, rediscovering what makes you feel alive, and letting go of what no longer fits. Pugs and Kisses is the perfect comfort read for anyone who believes in second chances, happy endings, and the healing power of a wagging tail