Early Book Review: Love at First Bark (Rescue Me) by Debbie Burns

Love at First Bark is the fourth book in the Rescue Me series by Debbie Burns. It is currently scheduled for release on July 30 2019. You do not have to have read all the books, or the books in order, to enjoy them. They can each stand up well on their own.

Animal portrait painter Mia Chambers and architect Ben Thomas have volunteered at the High Grove Animal Shelter for years, and they share a complicated history. Ben has secretly loved Mia all this time, but she was married to his best friend. Now she's newly widowed, with a young son, and Ben doesn't know how to tell her what's in his heart. All he can do is stay close, help her as much as she'll let him, and watch for the right moment to bare his soul. When a dozen adorable border collies get dumped in St. Louis' biggest park, everyone at the shelter mobilizes for a large-scale rescue. Rushing to the park to round up the frisky collies, Ben and Mia unexpectedly plunge into a new phase of their entangled lives. Who knew that opening their hearts and homes—to animals in need and to each other—would lead to so many upheavals and new beginnings?

Love at First Bark is a sweet story about two great people in a hard situation, having trouble admitting their feelings. Mia was in then middle of divorcing her husband when he died. There are secrets and a lack of closure swirling around her and she is struggling to do the right thing and help her young son deal with all the changes in his life. Ben has been a good friend, but was always her husband's friend first, so Mia is not sure what to do with the still growing attraction for him as she deals with the chaos left behind. I like that Ben is honestly a good guy, and willing to stand back and care for Mia ans Ollie in what ever way he can. The addition of adorable pups and great secondary characters make the story even more engaging and fun to read. I did enjoy the characters, and getting to know them. I liked the story, but I have to admit that it did not wow me. There were a couple moments when I expected something bigger to happen, and it just did not. There was nothing wrong with the book, it was well written and solid, it just fell a little short of my expectations.

Love at First Bark is a lovely contemporary romance about second chances.  I enjoyed the read.