Zoe is everyone's friend and nobody's true girlfriend. Drake is her longtime time friend who married her best friend who past away at a very young age leaving them both devastated. The both promised Heather they would take care of each other but did that mean they could pursue feelings that Zoe buried so long or ones Drake is only now starting to surface, or were they always there. This was a heartfelt story of true friendship and loyalty. It will make you laugh and cry but it is so worth it. I love this series and what a perfect ending to it. If you haven't read Kelly Moran your missing out on some very good books.

I love second chance romances and this one was full of heart! Zoe Hornsby is a strong and independent heroine, and yet life has hardened her, she has lost her smile and her focus on her passion for painting. Drake O’Grady is her childhood friend. He is a widow and has been grieving the loss of his wife for four years. Although they have known each other since childhood, Zoe and Drake’s relationship has become slightly strained because of their feelings of guilt. Zoe has had a thing for Drake since high school, but she never acted on her emotions. Drake is ready to make a new start, but he is unsettled and confused by his attraction to Zoe.

I loved that Zoe and Drake were both romantic at heart. Drake is finally in tune with his emotions, and life has given him a second chance. Zoe challenges him, she keeps him on his toes, and makes him feel alive. She matters to him and he can count on his matchmaking family to give them a little encouragement. I loved seeing their relationship blooming and growing, into a mature, strong and long lasting partnership that is really based on true love and understanding, as they both come to terms with their feelings and emotions.

I enjoyed reading this charming and well-written second chance romance that celebrates friendship, love and hope. It was my first book in the Redwood Ridge series, but I definitely plan to catch up.
An advanced copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Zoe Hornsby has a very active life. She grooms dogs in the veterinary office owned by friends, she takes care of her mother who is in the early stages of dementia, and supports her best friend Heather’s husband since her death. She doesn’t have time for a personal life.

It’s been 4 years since his wife died. Drake O’Grady has struggled to move on since. He has his veterinary practice that keeps him busy and has been thankful for the support offered by his wife’s best friend. The three of them have been friends since they were in high school.

Zoe has harbored a secret crush on Drake since high school but shoved it aside when he started dating her best friend. Drake is shocked to realize he is developing feelings for Zoe. She is Heather’s opposite in every way. Once he got over that, he actively went after Zoe even as she kept trying to duck him.

Zoe suffers from many insecurities that she covers up with sarcasm, deflection, avoidance and a sometimes snarky attitude. She definitely frustrated me at times. I get why she chose not to have relationships but just “good times,” but that eventually wore thin.

While I love a good opposites attract relationship, I didn’t quite totally fall into the belief these two belonged together. Small town with lots of nosy, interfering, supposedly well meaning family and friends to add to the mix.

The story has some emotional tugs. However, some of it felt thrown in just for extra angst.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

This is the third book in the Redwood Ridge series, a delightful blend of humor, family, friendship and hot romance. They are each stand alone stories, but once you read about one of the O'Grady brothers you will quickly want to know about them all!

Drake is the oldest and is the surgical vet at the animal clinic they run. He has had a rough four years since his wife Heather passed away, especially since both of his brothers have found their soulmates. At Flynn's wedding, seeing their blissful happiness, he realized it was time to start living his life again. But where to start? The one woman that has been steady in his life was his wife's best friend Zoe. She had been there for the whole terrible journey, and they have had an odd connection since. They text each other frequently....things they can't say out loud to anyone.

Zoe Hornsby is the clinic's groomer. She has had a secret crush on Drake even before he started dating his wife, but has always kept it secret. Her life is now in turmoil since her mother started exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer's/dementia. Cat (her mom) can't be left alone, doesn't recognize Zoe, and at times is violent. Drake knew she was taking care of her mom, but not the traumatizing effect it was having on Zoe's life. They both realize, finally, that they are attracted to each other, and it was time to see where things go. But, there's a secret Zoe is keeping that could totally change their future.

This novel was especially poignant for me, my mom suffered from dementia for the last several years of her life, and Ms. Moran was very accurate with her descriptions.
The characters are so much fun, their banter hysterical and the family love warms your heart. This series is one I will read again and

Witty banter and a sweet romance - a perfect combination! I really enjoyed this book!

Loved this story, packed full of emotion that I could not put down. Zoe has always secretly loved Drake, but her best friend married him instead. Drake loss his wife to cancer a few years back and now he is ready to live again. Zoe and Drake have been friends forever but both with so much on their plates, not looking for love. Zoe has been taking care of her mother with early onset dementia and does not have time and she is afraid to move on. They soon find this mutual attraction and chemistry that they can no longer fight off.

This was a book that I could not put down. Great characters with real life difficulties. My only recommendation is to have a box of kleenex close by, happy and sad tears!! I highly recommend this book.

The final O’Grady brother is about to fall in love – again – and this time it’s emotional. Taking a man just emerging from his grief and colliding him with the tough, independent woman who has secretly always loved him, this book was charged right from the start to be a strong emotional ride. Throw in Zoe’s home problems caring for her mother, who has early-onset dementia, and add in Drake’s grief and I was ready for this to be quite a weepy read.

But it isn’t, because Redwood Ridge has never been a series that’s only about problems and difficulties. There’s friendship and family and love as well as heartaches, and always, always, the hard things are evened out with hope. As Drake and Zoe find out.

I loved Drake. All through the series we’ve seen him slowly coming back to life, from the man who barely spoke in the first book, to the sometimes grumpy but often wise brother in the second book. He’s a man who might be occasionally oblivious to his surroundings and not too keen on too much company, but he loves deeply, which is why it’s taken him so long to recover from his wife’s death. It’s taken him a while to notice his feelings for Zoe too, but once he does, I loved the way he loved her. These two know each other so well and he truly cares about the woman Zoe is and has always been – and is willing to do almost anything to give her what she always wanted.

I really liked Zoe too. She’s snarky and tough on the outside, but a complete marshmallow inside. Her feelings for Drake are complicated but deep and the connection they share is beautiful. I loved how for all their differences, at heart they are pretty similar in their loyalty and need to protect those they love. The way she sees herself, though, nearly broke my heart. Thank goodness Drake was there to show her a different way. I also really liked how much meaning was in her art and tattoos – that was beautiful.

As much as I enjoyed the overall feel of their relationship, there were times when Zoe annoyed me a little with her push-pull reactions to Drake. She’s an emotional mess, and although she’s always wanted him she doesn’t feel she deserves him, for one reason or another, and the way she continuously threw up roadblocks got a bit tiring. However, Drake is awesome, so it was quite nice to see him dismantle each and every one in a patient, determined way.

Overall, while this wasn’t my favourite of the series, I still really enjoyed it. In fact, I’m pretty in love with Redwood Ridge and Kelly Moran’s writing, so I’ll definitely be looking out for more from her in the future.

New Tricks by Kelly Moran
Redwood Ridge #3

So much, so very much in this story – and – all of it so very rich, touching and terrifically told. Zoe and Drake have lost so much over the years and so deserve happiness but it is not easily achieved for either one of them. I could not put this book down once I picked it up and I did not want the book to end because I wanted to find out what will happen next in Redwood Ridge. Drake lost his wife – a woman he loved dearly – and is coming back from grief. Zoe lost her best friend and is dealing with her mother’s chronic illness with personal issues impeding her move to a HEA. Zoe and Drake have been friends since they were born, went to school together, work together and after three decades may have a chance to be more than friends…maybe. This book (and series) deals with issues that are heavy – autism, deafness, death, loss, Alzheimer ’s disease…and more. It also talks of family, friends, support, caring, sharing, communication, community and made me want to immerse myself in the Redwood Ridge community.

Heartwarming, thought provoking, intense and oh so much more…this is a great book in a wonderful series – I am so glad I found this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books-Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

LOVED!!! This is a wonderfully written story with so much emotion it made my heart swell. Drake and Zoe are fabulous characters and their story is one of healing and learning to live and love again.

After the loss of his wife to cancer Drake O'Grady never thought he would love again. He has to admit though that being alone is hard. Maybe he's ready to get out and have fun again but dating - no way! Dating Zoe Hornsby = absolutely no way. She was his wife's best friend so there is no way he could be attracted to her. Is there? Zoe has enough on her plate without adding a man to her life. With her own dog grooming business and an ailing mother to care for she has all she can handle. An attraction to Drake isn't something she can deal with right now. Yet there is something there that won't go away.

This is one for the must read list. I highly recommend it.

New Tricks was delightfully surprising. I had expected to feel bad for Drake as a widower but I really empathized with Zoe having been through similar circumstances with my mother in-law. I absolutely fell for Zoe and enjoyed watching Drake do the same. For a heartwarming tale filled with love and new beginnings this is the book for you.

Review by Amanda for Love Romance Books

Rating: 3

I was asked by the author for an honest review.

New Tricks is the first book I've read from the Redwood Ridge series. While you don't need to read the other books to enjoy this one, I think it would have enhanced the story to have read the others first as the couples are close friends and appear frequently. It was written with some strange phrasing patterns and I had to reread some sentences more than once to understand them - almost like a flow of consciousness at points. One of the characters ended most of his sentences with ", yeah?" which isn't something I often see so it was a little distracting. Overall, it was a cute story.

Drake is the oldest of 3 brothers who own a Vet Clinic together. Drake married his high school sweetheart Heather, but she got cancer and died 4 years ago ... Drake has been lost ever since. Zoe was Heather's best friend and was by her side when she died and helped Drake through his grief. Zoe has a dog grooming business that runs out the Vet Clinic, so she sees Drake every day and in the last little while, she has started to get flutters in her stomach when he's around. Can she be having feelings for him ... again? Zoe has been in love with Drake since high school ... before Heather and Drake were together, but she got over him because she knew that Heather and Drake were meant for each. After that Zoe became the good time girl, but since her mother got Alzheimers she has dedicated her life to her and hardly goes out ... just work and home. Then all of a sudden Drake is seeing Zoe in a whole new light and wondering if they could possiblely have something together.

This is a very sweet, romantic, funny, steamy book ... all very good qualities in a book. I highly recommend this heartwarming book!

I received an ARC copy courtesy of Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Kelly Moran has done it again with New Tricks. I love this series and I couldn't wait to find out about Drake. He lost his wife a while back and has been such a sad soul, and when he realizes that he has deeper feelings for his childhood friend Zoe it takes him a while to warm up to the idea.

Zoe is struggling with many things in life especially dealing with the effects of an ailing mother and all that it entails, she doesn't have time or the energy for a relationship, but there is more there than meets the eye.

Oh my goodness, I devoured this book. I loved the story from start to finish.

Welcome back to Redwood! Oh how we have missed you! We get to catch up with town favorites, such as Cade and Avery, Flynn and Gabby, Drake plus Zoe... Can you smell the love in the air? For Zoe and Drake, it's... well, complicated. Zoe has had a crush on Drake since they were teenagers, but as fate would have it Zoe's best friend, Heather, acted first. I would say the rest was history, but there is way more to this story. Drake and Heather fall in love and marry, while Zoe sits on the sidelines and a be the great friend everyone knows she is.

Fast forward... Heather has passed away, Drake is living his life day-to-day without really living, and Zoe has put her life on hold to take care of her mother... but who is taking care of Zoe and Drake? Drake has always been great with doling out awesome advice when it comes to other people. Can he take advice when it comes to him?

Man does this story pull at your heartstrings! You know that Drake and Zoe deserve happiness and you want them to find it with each other. This story is charming, funny, and endearing. I had to fan myself when Drake started flirting... Hopefully the next book will be a "Where Are They Now?" and maybe even a Hallmark or Lifetime movie... I really need both of those in my life right now!

This was the most awaited story in this series for me because I can slightly relate to Zoe predicament and I was really curious to find how Kelly Moran would have given her and Drake their happy ending.

Drake and Zoe journey from friends to lovers is scattered of hurdles.
The emotional ones are the hardest to overcome and they only succeed with the help of their family and friends.

New Tricks is the third installment in the Redwood Ridge series,it could be read as a stand alone but I suggest you to not miss the previous books because they are really good and unique.

4.5 Stars

This third entry to the "Redwood Ridge" series wrecked me. Oh, it still has the playful and amusing trademark of the first two books. In fact, I think Drake is less grumpy than I expected in New Tricks. He's a tad (okay, VERY) oblivious to other's machinations (as in the Battleaxes's). But the characters' background story and the steady pursue of relationships between people with entangled past, it becomes a mix of emotional and heartbreaking story.

Having glimpsed them in previous books, I had my own perceptions on both characters. Delving deeper here shows the complexity of the gutsy and playful front Zoe put up to the world, when underneath she's as vulnerable as anyone with her own fears, longing and sorrow. Her inner turmoil over what could've and should've happened, the wavering and heartbreak, all of those felt real and just break my heart.

Getting to know Zoe also gains access to her best friend, Drake's late wife, memory. I admit on more than one occasion to want to hate Heather for the pain she (unintentionally) caused Zoe. But that bittersweet intermingling of their friendship and Zoe's longtime affection to Drake delivered in a way that doesn't vilify anybody involved. I love this about the author, her way to absorb life-might-not-be-fair-but-it-happens into the story, making it feels real and genuine.

That Drake finally, FINALLY, ready to move on and his first (and only) attention falls on a close friend doesn't negate his past. I love that when he decided to romance someone, he goes all out and be candid about it. To hell what the townsfolk or his nosy relatives thought. And it is the intricacy of their navigating through all obstacles of the relationship that had me shedding a tear or two. Heck, I cry a bucket!! Picking up shattered dreams and rebuilding courage sides of the story really get to me.

But more than Zoe and Drake's budding romance, I just love the bond between the O'Grady siblings and the extended family. Pets included. It's just so uplifting to read! And just like the previous installments, New Tricks has its share of laugh and merriment, too. One of my favorite is that Brent finally met someone, though their courting kept pretty low key - considering how chatterbox a character Brent is.

As a conclusion to the "Redwood Ridge" trilogy, New Tricks ties the (final) loose ends on the O'Grady clan. On a side note, the appearance of a few interesting characters seem too good to pass on. I wish the author would write something about those (first responders) guys. Lastly, though New Tricks can still be read as a standalone, I encourage readers to read the whole series in order. It would certainly give more feeling and engage readers more to the story.


Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A great addition to the Redwood Ridge series!

Over the previous two books Drake and Zoe appear frequently, but getting to see their perspective on life and each other was great! Both Drake's loss of his wife Heather and Zoe's struggle with her mother's Alzheimer's are addressed in sensitive and realistic ways.

Kelly Moran has a knack for taking characters that you like in her other books and making you love them and root for them.

I appreciated that though the characters throughout the three book series was pretty much the same, none of the books feel too similar to the other. Each couple dealt with their own struggles and triumphs.

I wish there will be more books in the series, but I am looking forward to whatever Kelly writes next.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This series is fantastic I hope everyone loves a good romance novel that includes dogs and a cat, can't forget him. And a hunk that just wants to kiss his best friend and best friend to his late wife...so much trauma can they come together...love it

New Tricks is the third book in this series by Kelly Moran. It is actually the first book I have read by this author and I overall really enjoyed Drake and Zoe's story. The story flowed easily and the characters were likeable. I thought Drake and Zoe had a lot of chemistry and I loved all of the additional characters in the book (friends, siblings, etc). This is a beautiful story of second chances. Overall an enjoyable read!!!

3.5 - "Talk to me..." Stars!

Kelly Moran takes her readers back to Redwood Ridge, with New Tricks and we finally get widower Drake O’Grady’s story.

IMAGE.

I won’t lie, I have been itching to get my hands on Drake’s story since we were introduced to him and his brothers in Puppy Love, having devoured the previous two books and absolutely adored the stories that his brothers Cade and Flynn were given I was interested to see how Kelly would play his story out.

"Take this second chance with both hands and don’t look back"

It was intimated early on that there was more than just friendly feelings potentially emerging between him and pet groomer Zoe Hornsby, but with his reluctance to step back into the dating world after his loss, and her already packed schedule with trying to balance a full time job and her ailing mother’s 24 hour care, neither seemed particularly interested in stepping out of the friend-zone. You get deeper into both their heads in the telling of this book, and I won’t lie a large portion of the story left me underwhelmed.

"Haven’t heard you laugh much lately… I missed the sound."

Maybe my expectations were too high... why is it that what we anticipate the most, often then delivers the least. The previous two books were full of heart, heat and emotional turmoil, but the pace was perfect, the developing feelings grew along with everything that was happening between the couple in question, and the secondary characters added depth to the story line in general. But for the first half of New Tricks I struggled so warm to Zoe or really understand her behavior and motivation for certain things at all, and in the second half I just wanted to give her a slap, talk about playing the martyr.

"I kept thinking about how you felt pressed against me and the wild way you made my heart pound… I didn’t think the organ worked anymore. Then I kissed you and now I can’t shut off the switch you flipped."

Yes I could understand her reluctance to move towards a relationship with Drake especially when you take into account that no other man in her life has stuck around and that his dead wife was also her best friend.

"You don’t play fair…"

"I’m not playing at all."

I think what frustrated me the most is that Drake is as vulnerable as she is when it comes to expressing his feelings, maybe even more so, and is trying to move on with his life and relationships in particular with a romantic involvement with her(and boy his attempts at wooing her were just so endearing). But rather than fumble along with him, talk things through and work the hard stuff out together, she just made everything that much more difficult by not talking and shutting him out. The balance for me was off between them because of it. There was definitely more take than give on one side of the partnership this time, whereas his brothers stories kind of evened out as things progressed, and it didn’t quite happen this time.

"You reached out to me in the darkness and gave me a lifeline."

However I did in general enjoy the book, it just didn’t quite hit the levels of excellence the previous two did, I couldn’t put them down, whereas I found myself doing just that with New Tricks to allay my frustrations with Zoe’s behavior. The secondary characters carried this story along for me in part, and I am pleased the the author is carrying on the series herself with the O’Grady men off the market, I think it’s a stellar idea for her to turn her attention to Redwood Ridge’s single and ready to mingle First Responders and Police Force in the future books.