So right off the bat I want to say that I think About a Dog sacrificed reality for fun. And it worked; this was a feel good read that kept me in stitches through most of the book. I loved everything about the town. The two bars the ‘Maine crew’ stuck to while they were preparing for their friends’ wedding, the bakery where you could get Maine whoopie pies, and of course, the veterinary clinic where Gavin worked. And Gavin – I was head over heels for that man in no time. He was so sweet and persistent, and I loved how he just put it all out there for Mac. There was no holding back from the woman he’d always loved. I could just see his broken heart coming, and I was dreading it. So this book kicked off with a girl-time as the women tried on their bridesmaid dresses and then spent an evening out drinking and dancing, and while there were a lot of scenes like that in this book, they didn’t overwhelm the story. I enjoyed the time the gals spent together reminiscing, and they’re women who make you want to crash their girls night. I also loved Mac’s aunts. They were hilarious, and had found a second lease on life. Experiencing fun was the name of the game for the two of them. I also loved Tulip, who was the catalyst for bringing Gavin and Mac together more than once, much to Mac’s dismay. Mac ran hot and cold with Gavin often, and while I understood it at first, there came a point when I just wanted to grab her and shaker her and tell her to woman up and tell your best friend you have the hots for her brother! Especially after Mac finally realized she was in love with him and wanted to be in it for the long haul. But I have to give Mac credit – when she finally decided to go after Gavin, there was nothing she wouldn’t do and no one she wouldn’t recruit to help her get her man back!

Now I will say there were times when I felt like this book was trying a bit too hard to be funny, and there were times when it got a bit outlandish. But like I said, if you know that going in and can adjust your expectations, I think you’ll have as much fun as I did with this book. I also felt like the ending was a bit rushed, but since the secondary characters had a lot of page time in this book, I’m counting on lots more of Mac and Gavin as this series continues!

Overall, I thought About a Dog was a wonderful read about love, friendships and the family you make along the way. I think it would be the perfect book to slip into your beach bag this summer. And I’m really looking forward to the next installment!

I am a huge fan of this author and was so excited to have the opportunity to read the newest novel from Jenn McKinlay. I am not a huge romance fan, it is more naughty romance if I do read it. I love this author's cozy mysteries, and could not stop myself, romance or not.

This book is about a new character for me, Mac. A girl who is strong and independent, she returns back home for a friend's wedding. Not just any friend, her best friend Emma's wedding. This is not easy for her since the last time she was home she had a tragic romance wise incident occur, and then later what could be an awkward romance event as well with Emma's brother, Gavin. This is a great chance for everyone to get together and have fun like the old days.

While Mac tries avoid situations that puts her in the path of Gavin, the weeks' events has other plans. She hopes to stay apart, but they are constantly thrust together.

This is a great new book by Jenn McKinlay, and just makes me love her even more! I cannot wait to read more in this series. Please let there be more!

Synopsis:

Fall in love with a little help from man's best friend in New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay's contemporary romance debut.

Mackenzie "Mac" Harris fled her hometown of Bluff Point, Maine, after being left at the altar--and seeking solace in the arms of her best friend's off-limits brother. Now, seven years later, she's back to attend her best friend's wedding--safe, or so she thinks, from the mistakes of her youth.

But Gavin Tolliver has never forgotten the woman who has always held his heart. And when Mac rescues a stray puppy named Tulip, only Gavin, the town's veterinarian, can help. With a little assistance from Tulip, Gavin vows to make Mac realize that their feelings are more than just puppy love… (Goodreads)



Review:


The characters are well developed and well rounded. I really enjoyed reading about the friendships between, Mac, Emma, Carly and Jillian. They are friends from way back and they have fun together, call each other out when needed and would do anything for each other. We should all have friends like that. I also enjoyed spending time with Gavin, Emma’s brother. Mac and Gavin have a history together, and neither can really forget about the one night they had together. I enjoyed reading about their interactions and their bickering and banter. The real star of the show for me was Tulip, the stray dog that Mac finds. Who could help but fall in love with her?

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book, I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place around me. One thing that got old to me was reading about how Mac kept fighting with herself about spending time with Gavin. I understood how reluctant she was and I felt like I did not need to be continually reminded. I also got a little tired of reading how hot they both thought the other was. This is only my opinion and other readers may not feel the same way that I do, but I could have done without all the reminders.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast paced romantic comedy. With the great characters, plenty of humor and an adorable dog, I enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book.

really liked this book except for some of the language and phraseology of today. Too much of a bad thing takes away from the book and doesn't fit in. Outside of that it was totally enjoyable. Can't wait for the next one.

ABOUT A DOG by Jenn McKinlay takes us to the seaside town of Bluff Point that delivered a second chance romance with humor, heart and a pup in need of saving. Come meet Mackenzie "Mac" Harris as she heads home to Maine for her best friend's wedding and renews a complicated relationship with Gavin Tolliver, her best friends brother. With a dash of suspense, an adorable puppy and character growth, ABOUT A DOG offered a sweet start to the Bluff Point Romance series.

Coffee Dates with About a Dog

First Date: Mac left Bluff Point after her fiancee left her at the alter and in her grief she slept with her best friend's younger brother. A secret she has kept guarded. She now lives in the city and is in a relationship of sorts with a man who has asked that they take a break. Her best friend is now getting married and she is the maid of honor. With two weeks of activity will she be able to avoid resist Gavin?
Second Date: Gavin is now the local veterinarian and one cannot help swooning for him. Poor Mac is out of sort between her attraction to Gavin and his declaration that he wants a repeat of their night together. Mac is damaged and as McKinlay peels back her layers we see the cracks brought on by her jilted fiance and the odd relationship she is currently in. We get to know several secondary characters and lordy but Mac's aunts are a hoot. When Mac finds an abandoned puppy she turns to Gavin for help. A suspenseful thread appears when a man claiming to be the dog owner appears. Gavin and Mac soon find themselves tangled in the sheets and I felt their connection was genuine. Now if only Mac can accept it and find her happy. I struggled a little in the middle of the book and wanted Mac to be less indecisive, confess to her bestie and tell her on a "sabbatical" boyfriend to beat it.
Third Date: A wedding, a jerk, and secrets revealed kept me flipping the pages during the last date. We see growth in Mac and witness her open up her heart and form attachments again. It was fun seeing Mac figure it all out. Threads regarding her previous fiance proved interesting and allowed Mac to make peace with it. Gavin was patient, delightful and determined. It was nice having a hero who is inherently good and loves animals.
ABOUT A DOG was a delightful start to the Point Bluff series and I look forward to getting to know more about the residents who reside there.

Yet, another sensational, candied romance of the year of what it means to go beyond puppy love, "About a Dog," is sure to please both dog lovers and romantics alike.

My heart truly belongs to the foundation of the plot of this novel. I am a huge dog lover and having rescued my own pup I was more than a little anxious to read this novel. I was not disappointed. From Tulip, the pup to the firework chemistry between Mac and Gavin to the flow of the story there was a great deal to favor regarding this novel.

I want to focus mostly on the romance, or I should write the chemistry. I'm not certain in the beginning that Mac and Gavin were destined for an HEA-ending, but I loved the free, casual feelings of their chemistry and how quickly the duo was ready to react on their impulses. I'm not just talking about sensual contact, but the fact that the twosome actually enjoyed being in the company of one another. Together, Mac and Gavin's story was filled breezy romantic moments that was so refreshing and such a relief for the more intense love stories.

However, I do have one flaw with this book and that is at times the writing could be script-like. I would have liked to see more descriptive dialogue as well as writing in selective portions of the book. Until now, I have not read any material by the author, Jenn McKinlay so I am not able to fully compare this style of writing to the author's other novels. Still, I really did love this book for the heart it possessed and for the story's own creativity.

I loved reading this book. It was simple, predictable, uncomplicated; the perfect book to settle in with at night and unwind and become lost in the story and the characters.

Mac reluctantly goes home for the wedding of one of her best friends. As she wrestles with past memories, she fights against falling for her oldest friends younger brother, and as is the case in romance stories, it is a hard battle. The story unfolds with humor, and just the right amount of bawdiness. Throw in a group of fun friends, a wedding, and Maine in the summer - as well as an adorable puppy and you have just the right mix for romance.

I've never read any books by author Jenn McKinlay, but I will certainly recommend her books to those people I know who appreciate this genre. I think, too, it is the perfect beach read book.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
Back in 2011 I found some romance novels written by Jennifer McKinlay written for Harlequin. I am not sure when they were originally released but they were re released as e-books in 2014. I really enjoyed them so I was very excited when I heard she was starting a new romantic comedy series. I was over the moon to receive an early copy of the first book to review.

We meet Mackenzie “Mac” Harris as she returns to Bluff Point after leaving seven years prior when her groom left her standing at the altar. She returns to be her best friend, Emma’s maid of honor and hopes her past won’t rise up to smack her in the face. Gavin Tolliver, Emma’s little brother, was there for her when her wedding fell apart and has never gotten over the feelings he had for her. They reconnect because of the wedding but also because of Tulip, a stray puppy Mac rescues. It’s all About A Dog until suddenly it isn’t.

I loved, Loved, LOVED this story!

Mac and Gavin along with all their family and friends are wonderfully written. The friendships both new and old come together so naturally. Mac’s aunts were my favorite characters next to Mac and Gavin. These senior citizens are going through their second phase of being teenagers. Their antics will have you smiling ear to ear.

Being a dog lover I was taken by Tulip the moment Mac found her. As you may imagine by the title she is a key character to the entire story. She is just so darn lovable. If I didn’t have two dogs already I would rush right out to adopt one just like her.

Gavin and Mac have a secret. Something she has tried to forget and one Gavin wants her to remember very clearly. Emma has not had much luck in her relationships and tries to fight her feelings for Gavin but sparks just seem to fly whenever they are near each other. She even enlists her friends to be buffers and help her to never be alone with him. She is only in town for two weeks, there is no way they can be any more than friends. Yeah, right.

Jenn McKinlay has penned quite a romance with several twists. Lighthearted, funny and romantic. A totally entertaining story of life, love, and friendship. This series is out to a fabulous start. I can’t wait for Barking Up the Wrong Tree when it releases on September 26 and then Every Dog Has His Day comes out January 2, 2018.

I highly recommend an escape to Bluff Point soon and often.

I am a reader and fan of this author. I have to admit that I was a little hesitant for this book, since I know Jenn McKinlay as a cozy mystery author. While it did feel like a completely different author, I enjoyed it very much! The writing was easy to read and the story was very enjoyable. I can't wait to read the next one!

About a Dog by Jenn McKinlay is the first book in her Bluff Point Romance series. About a Dog is a sweet cute romance, a very likable couple, great friends, and of course, the cutest dog. What else can you ask for?
Mac Harris, our heroine, returns to Bluff Point to be maid of honor for her best friend, Emma’s wedding. Mac has not been home for 7 years, after she left suddenly when she was left at the altar. We learn immediately that Mac has kept a secret all those years from Emma. When she was upset and embarrassed after the groom stood her up, it was Gavin, our hero and Emma’s baby brother, who took Mac away to help calm her down; in her state of mind, and Gavin hidden feelings for Mac, they ended up having sex.

Now when she arrives to Bluff Point, to her dismay, it is Gavin who picks her up. She does all she can to avoid talking too much, not to mention that the baby brother has grown into quite a hunk. But Mac now has a boyfriend, who is away, and she is determined to avoid Gavin, which is difficult, since he is being paired with her for the wedding, and he is also in the same friends group.

It was lots of fun to see Mac with her gal pals and the groom’s friends, during the two week stay to help Emma with the planning and rehearsals. The camaraderie between them was terrific. Gavin tries every opportunity to talk with Mac about that one night, and to let her know he still thinks about her. Mac though refuses to let herself think about that night, especially since she is beginning to feel more attracted to Gavin. But Mac does not want Emma to find out, and also does not want to ruin the wedding.

About a bit more than ¼ of the way into the story, Mac comes across a stray puppy (mix of pittbull/boxer), which forces her to go to Gavin, who is a vet. They will work together to train the puppy (Tulip), who gives them both such cuddly love. Mac is staying with her two elderly aunts, who were a bit wild and crazy, but also lots of fun. The aunts and Mac will take Tulip in to their house and all the friends welcome this cute puppy into their lives. Unfortunately, Mac’s snobbish boyfriend, does not like the idea of a dog when she returns to California, and devises a plan to make sure she does not have the dog.

What follows is a sweet romance that was slow build (at least for Mac); an adorable puppy who helps enhance the story line with his cuteness; and a group of friends that were so much fun with the banter between them; and the crazy fun aunts. There is also the storyline of what happened in the past, and to help Mac get past that, as well as to confide to Emma. Will Mac give in to her feelings for Gavin? Will Emma understand about her best friend becoming involved with her baby brother?

About a Dog was such an enjoyable read, fun, with likeable characters and very well written by Jenn McKinlay. If you enjoy pure simple small town romance, fantastic secondary characters, humorous and fun camaraderie and an adorable puppy named Tulip, then you need to read this book.

Sadly, this was a DNF book for me. I just had a difficult time getting pass the fact that the heroine slept with her best friend's younger brother.

I loved how Gavin could reassure Mac and worries would go away, "Gavin reached over and took Mac’s hand in his. He squeezed her chilly fingers in his warm grip and Mac felt reassured. “Let’s save the panic until we have something to panic about,” he said." Oh Tulip, sometimes that dog ruins some moments, “huh? What?” He opened his eyes and saw Mac staring down at him and a slow smile spread across his lips. Then Tulip pounced and kissed him good morning on the mouth. “Ugh, blerg.” I liked this book, I thought it was really cute.

My first thoughts reading the Title I was a bit thrown on how much of a romance story this would be, but don't judge a book by its cover and all right? So I went in and I was hoping that it would not be cheesy. I can ensure you that the book was nothing of what I expected!! The story starts out introducing Mac short for Mackenzie who has come back to her old home town after 7 yrs because her best friend is getting married and she is looking forward to seeing her friends but worried about facing past failures! Meet Gavin the bride's little brother and who is a veterinarian and has grown Up! Not only does Mac have to face the town that she left abruptly after being stood up at the altar but when she sees Gavin again after 7 yrs well let's just say that the stars and the bed of his truck was a lovely memory. The chemistry is hot between these two and it's fun to see the war in Mac as she tries to fight how she feels! I was rooting for her to get past her issues and give Gavin a try! All around the supporting characters are awesome and hilarious! Wonderfully written and such a sweet romance! Great, great read!

It was so nice to read Jenn's first foray into the rom-com genre after enjoying her cozy mystery series. It feels like a breath of fresh air when an author can delve into more than one genre. It just nice to know that an author you really enjoy has so many talents! The characters are enjoyable & relatable. Anyone who picks up this book will be sucked in from the start. Can't wait to revisit the town and characters in the next book.

I'm a huge fan of Jenn McKinlay's cozy mystery novels and I like a good love story, so I had to check out her new romance novel. I like the cast of characters and the small New England town setting. I think there is a difference between liking a love story and a true romance novel, and I don't think I'm a true romance fan. I would have preferred more plot, less crass humor, and fewer descriptive sex scenes, but it was an enjoyable read.

This is another great series from Jenn McKinlay. We meet a group of friends who are all extremely close, but for who life (and growing up) have maybe stood in the way a bit lately. They are all gathering together for a wedding, but there is much more going on. A stray dog, an old flame, and hearts searching for where they truly belong. A great read, I cannot wait to read the next story in this new series.