I knew from the moment I first saw the trailer for Next Door Knight that this was going to be an “awww” book and it was. It’s the second book in Nicole Flockton’s Man’s Best Friend series and is set in San Antonio, Texas, a place that is fast moving up my bucket list of places to visit.
Kerrie and Caleb are nominally the stars of this book but it’s Willow the rescue corgi who steals the show. She belongs to Kerrie, who’s trained her to work with veterans and help them calm their demons, but Willow is secretly in love with Kerrie’s next door neighbour Caleb and manages to find her way into his yard more often than she should.
Caleb is on medical leave from the air force after being shot in an incident which saw his K9 partner Trigger killed and apart from the physical injuries he’s nursing a hefty dose of guilt. He really doesn’t want to have anything to do with anybody, but somehow Willow works her magic on him. Kerrie has survived an abusive relationship which has left her determined never to let a man control her life again, though she’s not above asking Caleb for help when she finds herself facing the prospect of losing her new job.
I loved this story, mostly because of Willow with her wiggling bottom, cheerful personality and ability to worm herself into the hardest set heart. The fact that as the story progressed Kerrie became stronger as a person didn’t hurt either, nor did watching Caleb slowly break out of the shell of isolation he’d crawled into. This really was a book to make me smile.

I loved the diversity of characters in this story, you have one strong-willed woman fresh from being dumped after being emotionally abused. Kerry Williams is glad to help her father during his recovery, but after being snubbed by the home care service, she's left in a bind. Enter the handsome, yet troubled neighbor who just wants to be left to his own misery and devices, but an interfering corgi brings the two together. Caleb Bradshaw has a heart of gold, but he's incredibly traumatized from losing everything he cared about in such a short time period. Have the tissues ready, but enjoy the ride!

This is the story of Kerry William's and Caleb Bradshaw. She has to juggle her fathers car, her  job as a manager of a new restraunt, and volunteering with her dog Willow at a Veterans center. 


Her fathers caregiver didn't show up she's afraid she will lose her job. Her dog willow runs away. She finds Willow at a neighbors house. 


The last thing K9 officer Caleb Bradshaw wants to deal with is babysitting his neighbors father and dog. He is dealing with a career ending injury and the loss of his K9 partner Trigger.


I really loved this book. I take care of my dad so it kind of hit close to home what she was dealing with. This was a great story of the struggle Caleb is going through and Kerry knows Willow can help him. He keeps pushing her away. This was an amazing story with real characters and real emotions. I highly reccomend it. It's part of a series and I enjoyed both books in it. I am new to this author and am glad I found her.


I I receieved a free copy of this book from Netgalley and her is my honest review.

I received an arc from NerGalley and this is my honest opinion. This was an endearing romance. I love that it also brings to light PTSD and the affects this has on military personnel.

I would definitely recommend this book.

3 1/2 Star Review....

Who doesn’t love a wounded hero, and the cutest dog ever helping him find his way? I enjoyed the context of the story, but did find the constant push and pull of the relationship a little distracting.

Caleb had moments I just wanted to shake him, but finally found his way and redeemed himself by books end. Kerry was a strong independent woman, but caved to easily when things became difficult with her ex. I also found the ex’s portrayal a bit over the top.

There were some really positive elements too. The support cast provided authenticity, and interaction between Caleb, Kerry and Willow added that extra something special. Overall this was a good book and I look forward to what comes next.

What I liked:
The writing style
Some of the characters
Willow
Part of a series: Man's Best Friend
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

What I didn't like:
Kerry

I had a hard time staying interested in this book.

This book starts off good. It has an interesting premise, characters that are trying to start a new life and a cute dog. I really liked the first half as we meet Kerry and Caleb who are both struggling with their pasts and are brought together by an adorable Willow. The second half is where it went wrong for me. When Caleb starts to ask Kerry about her life she shuts him down and basically says I don't want to talk about it. When he does the same she gets angry that he won't tell all. Kerry keeps going about how she will not let the past dictate or control her life and yet that is all it does. I found her very annoying by the end. Caleb seem to get his life together but her issues never really seemed to get resolved.

Was Willow not only a therapy dog but also a matchmaker. Between Willow and George (Kerry’s father), Kerry and Caleb did not stand a chance at resisting love. A few trust issues may stand in the way, but a good romance always has “turbulence “.

3.5 STARS
NEXT DOOR KNIGHT by Nicole Flockton. This was an easy, enjoyable read, although I truly wished the story got deeper about a few things. Caleb and Kerry are two souls both living with some demons. They end up living next door to each other, and, with the help of Willow, Kerry's trained therapy dog, are brought together. Honestly, I didn't feel the connection of crazy love and attraction but still, as time progressed, liked them together. The introduction of Kerry's ex and the part he played was a bit odd to me - truly I would have preferred it to be a bit more intense. Overall, it's a nice read that has a feel good feel, I just was hoping for a bit more. (received ARC for honest review)

** I received a copy of Next Door Knight from Tule Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are my own and not solicited**

Next Door Knight by Nicole Flockton is the second book in her Man's Best Friend series. I loved the first book Blind Date Bet (Izzie and Ethan) but with this story Willow the Corgie played a big part in healing both Kerry and Caleb as well as the veterans whom she visits at the center with Kerry. I'd give this book a rating of 4.7 stars.

Caleb Brandshaw is healing from the wounds of a drug cartel ambush and the loss of his K-9 Trigger while on patrol with the US Air Force. The last thing he wants is to deal with his cute neighbors dog or think about Kerry either. He's up for medical review and has to decide to be desk bound or retire after 20 years. He and Trigger were partners for a long time and Caleb misses him but Kerry also has some wounds of her own that aren't visible. When he agrees to sit with Ron keeping him company while Kerry works little does he know that he needs the comfort Willow is offering and that love may be in the cards for them.

Kerry Williams has to figure out how Willow her therapy dog is tunneling under her neighbors fence and going next door to Caleb's. But when her father's home health care aide doesn't show she's faced with the loss of new job or ask if Caleb with sit with Ron (Who's recovering from two broken legs) while she's at work. Little does she know the Willow has her own plan to get both Caleb and Kerry together. She needs to prove to everyone including herself that she can be a strong person after 7 years of emotional turmoil with Winthorn Hartigan III. Can she tell her heart that she falling for Caleb? Will he be able to decide where his future will be and learn that Willow is offering her help to cope with his loss?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

I loved this book. I read it in one setting. I was intrigued with Caleb from the first story and wondered if he would get a story and yes he did. It was a fantastic one as well. I so enjoyed reading the journey to Caleb's and Kerry's HEA. Both characters had a very pain past to work through and overcome. This story of how they helped each other (with Willow, Kerry's therapy dog).

This book was written in my favorite format, a dual POV. Never having gone through either situations that the characters have, it a must for me. It helps me to connect to the character. I can understand the why's and what not of their actions and speech so much better.

I loved that Willow played a much bigger part of this book over the first book in this series where Sam (the K-9 to Ethan) was only in the book for basically two scenes.

The characters here were ones that I readily identified with. I was only disappointed to have the book come to an end. It was a story that totally grabbed me right from the beginning.

I highly recommend this story to anyone.

Any book with a cute dog and a military hero has my heart from the get-go, and this book is absolutely perfect for me with its cutie of a corgi therapy dog! Everyone who knows me recognizes the fact that corgis are my favorite type of dog, with their happy smiles and cute wiggle butts, and I loved the role the dog played in this romantic story. With the addition of emotional trauma experienced by both the hero and heroine, it was a perfect blend of meet cute romance and real-life conflict. It brought out so many emotions in me, and I was wishing it didn't end!

Caleb Bradshaw just wants to be left alone, and the being getting in the way of his dream of solitude comes in the form of a feisty corgi named Willow. When he goes to return the therapy dog to her owner, he is thrown off by how attracted he is to Kerry Williams. And when she asks him to do her a favor by watching her father while she goes to work, his chivalrous side comes out to play and soon he is seeing her every day. Her awkward interactions with him and her kind heart soften him, but his past haunts him. On medical leave from the air force, following a traumatic accident that injured him and took away a loved one, he has a lot to work through. Good thing Kerry is stubborn and neither her nor her dog are willing to give up on Caleb.

I really appreciated how deep this book got into the emotional trauma our soldiers go through when in combat. It felt very accurate to what I have heard, and the way it was handled really showed the struggle to recover when someone has PTSD and the toll it takes not only on the survivor but also on their family. The inclusion of Willow the therapy dog made it even cooler for me, because I know there is such misinformation around therapy dogs and their impact for people. And the fact that it was a corgi was doubly interesting, because most therapy dogs I have seen are other breeds. Caleb was a strong man, both inside and out, and you could see the fight in him on each page as he struggled to overcome the barriers he had put around his heart. Kerry and Willow were so good for him. Once Caleb began healing, he was also able to help Kerry, who had emotional trauma of her own from a past abusive relationship. It wasn't the focal point of the story, but it certainly played a huge role in their own budding romance. Caleb had an instinct to protect Kerry, but sometimes it reminded of her controlling ex, so it was a big learning experience for him. And it allowed Kerry to learn the difference between controlling behavior and protective behavior. They both grew so much - it was beautiful!

I had not read this author before, and now I can't wait to read more of her books! Wonderful writing, genuine emotions, and cute furry friends.

Kerry Williams and Caleb Bradshaw are brought together by Kerry’s therapy dog, Willow, who has found a way to sneak into Caleb’s back yard. Willow eventually works her way into Caleb’s heart just like she does to everyone who meets her. But, Caleb is set in his ways and content staying in his house not talking to anyone, especially not having to get out and return the dog to his neighbor. He has PTSD and recovering from gunshot wounds that not only wounded him but killed his service dog, Trigger. He doesn’t think he will ever be able to move past the tragedy that happened that day.

Kerry has finally gotten her life in order. She left her abusive boyfriend and has her own place now where she is helping her father recover from a skiing accident that broke both of his legs. She has a good job and enjoys taking Willow to the VA center, on her time off, to visit with the men there. She didn’t expect to fall for Caleb when she met him, but there is just something about him that makes her heart melt once she gets to know him.

Willow is the match-making therapy dog who helps everyone. I couldn’t help but fall in love with her. She is the perfect little scene stealer. I really enjoyed Kerry and Caleb’s story too and where the author took it. I could tell a lot of research had been put into the writing of this book. It felt very true to life.

This book was better than her first book. The story though is very depressing in nature.. both Kerry and Caleb are fighting their own demons. Kerry has just started working for a new "chic restaurant" after being breaking up with her controlling boyfriend. Caleb is recovering for a traumatic accident where is canine partner was kill protecting him. What draws them together is Willow - Kerry's dog - who is a therapy dog for veterans. The two live right next to each other - and Willow has decided that they both need each other to cure / heal the other.

Next Door Knight is a sweet, romantic book about a woman whose dog keeps wandering over into her new neighbor’s yard. Willow is a therapy dog, and she seems to sense that the neighbor - a man on medical leave from the Air Force - needs some support. The dog brings the two together time and time and again, forcing them to get to know each other. What follows is a touching book about rebuilding your life after trauma, and learning to be happy with your new reality. The story is mostly clean and a very heartfelt tale. I enjoyed this laid-back love story, and am happy NetGalley provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kerry is newly single after a long term relationship in which she lost herself. She is never going to let a man do that to her again. She is a strong independent woman who is currently taking care of her injured father. When Kerry goes looking for her corgi who has escaped the yard she finds her neighbor Caleb. Caleb wants nothing to do with his pretty new neighbor or her dog. Having lost his canine partner in the line of duty being around dogs is difficult for him. When Kerry asks him for a favor he agrees out of duty. He is a good man and would not want her in a bind if he could help. The time he spends with her father and Willow the corgi makes Kerry realize that maybe Caleb is a little bit damaged just like she is. Such a cute story. You can't help but want a Caleb of your own.

NEXT DOOR KNIGHT by Nicole Flockton is a super fast read. Caleb was so true to life, I really could feel his pain. This is the second story in this series, both are fast paced with wonderful characters.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series (Ethan’s and Izzy’s story) and Caleb’s and Kerry’s story was different and did not disappoint - I dislike when stories in a series all seem too similar with just the names changed! Caleb is suffering from PTSD, grief, and guilt. He lost his K9 partner, fellow airmen and his dad and he himself was severely wounded. He especially has a hard time around animals so when Willow, an adorable Corgi belonging to his new neighbor Kerry keeps showing up in his yard, it’s the last thing he wants. But he needs her and Willow - a therapy dog who works with vets - quickly endears herself and helps Caleb. Meanwhile, through Kerry and her dad, Caleb starts to come back to life and reengage with others - and Willow is almost always by his side. Kerry too is coming from a painful past, having lost her mother and come out of a long term emotionally abusive relationship. They both have big walls built up and just when things seem great, Caleb, ignoring his instincts missteps and Kerry breaks up with him. Rather than give up, a revitalized Caleb fight for her and new career working with animals as he transitions from the Air Force.

Caleb, a K9 airman on medical leave, was one hot mess! He ran more cold then hot when it came to emotional entanglements, but once he got his head on straight, he turned out alright.

Kerry is slowly getting back on her own two feet after coming out of an unhealthy relationship. She was a bit of a spitfire when riled up, but I felt she was reasonably balanced with her patience dealing with Caleb’s wishy-washy attitude and the humor she found in certain situations.

And I have to mention Willow! The very adorable and spunky Corgi was my favorite part of the entire book! She’s a therapy dog with healthy intelligence and understanding, but watching her two favorite humans lose sight of the big picture could wear a furbaby out! Her interactions were hilarious and really cute to not mention!

Book two in the Man’s Best Friend series, I think Next Door Knight can be read as a stand alone.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This second book of the series, truly a stand alone, is just as touching as book one.
Caleb Bradshaw is an airman K-9 officer who recently both got injured and lost his partner. He has become a hermit during his medical leave with a future filled with unknowns. Kerry Williams, is his new next door neighbor .A young woman full of life , with a corgi , WIllow, who is a therapy dog. The dog seems to realize Caleb needs help and has multiple escapades into Caleb’s yard, much to his dismay.
But as time goes on, Willow starts her magic and Caleb starts to heal thanks to Kerry and Willow.
Little does Caleb know that Kerry too has had to overcome a situation that almost crushed her.
In addition to an engaging plot and imperfect, strong characters that you will grow to love , I appreciated other points of the story. The reminder that the brave men and women who fight for our safety and freedom, suffer injuries and are affected not only physically but also emotionally and psychologically . Helping them heal , in this case with therapy dogs, is of great importance. Thank you , Ms. Flockton for that reminder.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.