It is always a pleasure to come across a new author and be delighted by their debut story. A New Leash on Love by Debbie Burns was a wonderful story that has the many attributes I look for in a romance. It had believable and likeable characters, a supporting cast of cats and dogs and a second chance trope. Megan Anderson and Craig Williams are both recovering from a broken heart and are very wary of giving it a second chance. I guess when you aren’t looking for love it comes to you unexpectedly.

Megan works at an animal shelter and her temper flares when a man surrenders the puppy his daughter received over the holidays. Craig is feeling bad enough about returning the dog but he doesn’t need this woman giving him grief as well. Things were said but there was also some vulnerability shown when things weren’t said in that exchanged. Things aren’t always black and white and both Craig and Megan are feeling something going on between them when they see each other again and again. I understood reluctance on Craig’s part considering his situation with his ex-wife and children. Still he hadn’t felt this in a very long time and just couldn’t deny it when it could be a game changer. Megan has been so wrapped up with her work at the shelter she never expected to get those feelings again for a man, especially one whose life is in such flux. But no matter what life deals you, both Megan and Craig took small steps towards each other and make the best of this chance on love. It wasn’t an easy road for either of them because it meant reconciling feelings of the past and dealing better with grief.

Debbie Burns has written a wonderful story about a couple who have a chance to heal their broken hearts and find love again. The sex is tame but you can still feel the attraction and heat they feel for one another. Each time Craig and Megan were in scenes with one another you can see them working out in their minds how they want to be together but have so much to deal with. The addition of the supporting characters of Craig’s children, Megan’s mom and friends, developed the story and emphasized the worlds they have built around them. It just made the whole story fully develops and give a better understand where they are both coming from. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more stories. There is a new voice in contemporary romance and I hope this is a great beginning for her writing career.

Megan runs an animal shelter and is very passionate about her work. Craig is going thru a divorce. He and his wife lost a son and the marriage doesn't survive the tragedy. Craigs soon to be ex is dealing with her grief, a divorce and their 2 surviving children. She can't handle their children's puppy so Craig is the one who has to turn the dog into the shelter. Megan sees him as a rich guy who can't accept the responsibility of a dog. She has no idea what Craig and his family have gone thru. Nevertheless, sparks fly between Craig and Megan from the first meeting. Craig's daughter ends up volunteering at the shelter so Megan and Craig are put together often.

This is a story about family, love, loss and moving on from a tragedy. Megan has scars from her past and Craig isn't ready to move on with his life. Neither of them can resist the strong chemistry they have. I liked all the characters in the book. Their were some very poignant moments, along with a bit of humor. This is a heartwarming story that I recommend to readers. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I am enamored of Debbie Burns. With outstretched arms and an open heart, she welcomes readers into her world of cuddly creatures, tempting humans and incredibly moving storytelling. A New Leash on Love comes from the heart, speaks to the heart and feeds the soul. Ms. Burns understands that humans aren't the only ones in need of love and hope. Whether human or animal we all need some TLC and a second chance.

Megan Anderson is dedicated to giving the animals in her shelter a safe and loving home and is quite passionate about what she does, so, when Craig Williams, a single father, comes into the shelter wanting to drop off their family pet she becomes a little perturbed with him. They took the dog promising to give it a home to thrive in, and now because things are tough for them they want to abandoned it, no way can she let this one go without saying her peace. Before she realizes what she's doing she unleashes her frustration on him, and he simply walks out the door. But not before stirring up something in her that she hasn't felt in a long while, there is something about him that has her stomach full of butterflies and her head full of curiosity.

Craig Williams is going through a painful divorce, and now because of said divorce he finds himself at a local shelter dropping off the family pet, not because he wants to, but because he doesn't really have choice. And the woman he finds on the other side of the shelter door isn't too happy about his decision either, he can tell instantly that she is passionate about the animals in her care, and adding another to an already full house frustrates her, and she unleashes those frustrations on him. He isn't in the mood for a lecture, so he says his peace and walks out the door, thankful he won't have to see her again. But the problem is there is a part of him that wants to, seeing someone care so deeply lights a fire in him, and he knows he won't be able to extinguish it until he wanders back through her door... question is will she be happy about seeing him again?

This was my introduction to this author, and I must admit that it left a really good first impression, so much so, I plan to read the book that follows it, and revisit these charming, well crafted characters. Her writing style was very easy to fall into and just enjoy, the story line was easy to follow, very engaging, and it turned out to be quite pleasurable read! Highly recommend this one, it is sure to keep you captivated from start to finish!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

A New Leash on Love by Debbie Burns is the first book in her new Rescue Me series. This was a wonderful sweet romance, with a family and animals as a major part of the story. Having never read anything before by Burns, I loved every moment of A New Leash on Love, and I plan on reading more of her books; especially the rest of this series.

Megan Anderson, our heroine, who runs an animal shelter, loves her job and her dog/cats. When Craig Williams, our hero, stops at the shelter to drop off a puppy that was a Christmas gift to his children, he meets Megan. Both Megan and Craig are both in bad moods when they come face to face. He is sad to have to bring the puppy back, since his house was going to be sold, his divorce finalized and they were not prepared to handle the puppy. Megan, who is very passionate about her work was already upset that the shelter is at the max of animals, and she had to rescue a german shepard, Sledge. At that moment Craig and the cute puppy arrive, which was all Megan needed to be curt and sarcastic to Craig. The two of them went at each other in a fiery confrontation, with Craig slamming the door on the way out.

Both of them felt bad after they calmed down, and couldn’t forget about it. When the following day, Craig goes back to the shelter with his daughter to get the puppy back, but unfortunately Megan had already placed the puppy at a home of someone local who recently lost their dog. Despite this, Craig and Megan start apologizing, and they both can feel the attraction, which neither will act on at this time. Megan will get Craig’s daughter to help become a volunteer at the shelter, which will keep them running into each other, often.
What follows is a wonderful sweet slow build romance between Megan and Craig. The setting with the animal shelter, the wonderful dogs and cats, and Craig’s daughter Sophia & son Reese becoming involved in the shelter and close to Megan made this story even more delightful. There is also the background story of Craig s amicable divorce caused by the death of Reese’s twin brother, which affected his ex and children; as well as Megan also had her own insecurities about trusting love.

Craig, despite his not wanting another relationship, turned out to be such a great guy, and was so supportive and sweet to Megan. Megan was a great heroine, who cared about her animals and friends, and watching her bond with Sophie was wonderful. I also fell in love with Sledge, Megan’s rescue dog.

This was a wonderful delightful, heartwarming read, with some great characters, sweet dogs and cats, and wonderful romance. There was also a nice twist near the end. What more can you ask for? A New Leash on Life was written so well by Debbie Burns. I wholly recommend that you read this book.

Who couldn’t love a tale with animals in need of love and a safe place to land that mimics the same predicament two souls find themselves in? What happens when a passionate young woman running an animal shelter deals less than graciously with a wealthy and handsome man seemingly dumping off a now unwanted puppy without a care? Sparks will fly, right, and maybe a little fur, but who knew those sparks of anger could become smoldering flames of passion between two people who have so little in common? Sometimes need is enough to build a foundation, well, that a few puppy licks.

A NEW LEASH ON LOVE by Debbie Burns has more than its share of twists, some cute and adorable, some not so much. There are moment s of tension, situations that leave one raising the eyebrows and thinking, “awkward,” and there are moments of humor that will melt your heart.
Will the wealthy guy get the passionate girl? Will the unwanted puppy find a new home? What about the big German Shepherd? Will the pain of the past become a foundation for a happier future?

Debbie Burns has created a story of love that reads quick, with low heavy drama and lots of "tale" wagging.

I received an ARC edition from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Rescue Me - Book 1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (July 4, 2017)
Publication Date: July 4, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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This is a book more about falling in love with shelter animals than people falling in love. That’s not a complaint. My own dog was a shelter rescued dog. It’s in the final quarter of the book that human romance takes center stage.
Megan has taken over running a no-kill shelter from the man who founded it and is no longer in good health. It’s a constant worry over money and fitting in all the dogs and cats that need at least a temporary home until they find their forever home. Megan has a heart big enough to stay the course, though. She has anger that sometimes wells up inside her when people surrender a perfectly healthy animal because they didn’t think the full scope of the commitment an animal requires. When Craig brings in the puppy his wife acquired for their daughter before the realities of a divorce, it causes Megan to lash out at him.
Craig hates bringing in the puppy and then when his daughter decides she wants it back, the finding a forever home has crossed the point of no return. The puppy has been adopted. Heartbreak all around, except for Megan. Then she gets to know Craig’s daughter and offers her a volunteer position at the shelter. This is the beginning of what could be a romance between Craig and Megan, but it’s touch and go for a while.
There is an unexpected twist near the end that I did not see coming. The question is whether Craig and Megan are suited to each other. Another question is whether it’s too soon after his divorce for Craig to be moving on.
This is a carefully plotted book with characters who play to type, including all the children involved as well as the parents. I really enjoyed this book. It’s a good one to sink into for a beach read.

Craig and Megan have a rough start, but the relationship develops just as nicely as their characters do. This story has plenty of humor, but also many poignant moments. The characters are wonderful, and I am looking forward to reading more about this group.