The first book in Fur Haven Dog Park, Cold Nose, Warm Heart, was an ok read for me. I enjoyed the premise of this story, but the author focused heavily on some area which caused other area to be rushed breaking the easy flow to the read. Will I read more, yes, I feel this is still a good overall read and these minor things will disappear in future books

This was cute! As someone who is a librarian in South Florida, I enjoyed all the "old people" and Florida references.

I fell in love with the cover and then I fell in love with this story. I love stories with animals and I loved the dogs in this book.
It's a sweet, engrossing and enjoyable read that made me smile and root for the characters.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A feel good read that hits all of the emotional buttons you want in a romance. Mara Wells gives her readers a couple of really good characters with a great supporting cast of man's best friends and throws in a no win situation that must be overcome before we get to go AAAHHHH. Loved it!

Fun, if predictable, tale of dogs, the 'old folks', a dilapidated apartment complex, misunderstandings. the young female champion and the handsome "villain" out to rip the residents from their homes to build a super condo complex. Oh, and did I forget the dog park and neighbors who rally to save everyone.

I was drawn to this book because of the pic. Who can resist a pic and book with an adorable fur baby on the cover?
I've never read anything by this author and was very impressed with the story.
Cute fun romance read!

Cold Nose Warm Heart is my first book by Mara Wells. I was drawn in by the cover-who can resist a cute furbaby??? Plus, I was missing my own who had recently passed, so I took a chance with this story.
Pet’s have a way of knowing if someone has a good heart and the furry characters in here certainly knew their stuff.
Riley and Caleb- the human element- were a lovely couple. They were drawn to one another, but they had some challenges to overcome. Caleb wanted to build an apartment complex where Riley and her friends had their dog park. It leads to some issues and confrontations.
This was an easy read, if a bit predictable. But still enjoyable all the same.
I received an ARC from #NetGalley and this is my honest and s voluntarily opinion.

The story starts off with Riley, manager of Dorothy’s place after losing her job at Donovan Resort, trying to fix as many problems as possible with what little money there was. Caleb Donovan’s trying to redeem his family name after his father was found guilty of illegal dealings and lost his real estate development business. His grandfather now wants this building brought up to snuff to making a profit. The catch is his two older brothers have to do it with him. They don’t have the same mother and they walked away, one going into the Marines, and Lance starting his own construction company. When Caleb found out how rundown this building was, he was going to fire the building manager Riley. When he met her, she had her poodle LouLou with her. She met with several women on the adjacent lot that they used as a dog park. This story showed that when the building was in jeopardy, she found she had more friends and support than she thought possible. Even though Caleb is the “enemy” she had feelings for him so that made things more difficult. She tried to come up with a scenario that would suit everyone.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

The premise of the book sounded really good, and it would of been if the focus had been more on the relationship aspect instead of the dog park that was being built, and the residents of the worn-down apartment building which the story was based around. First the main characters. Riley - she seemed very young, more like a teenager than a grown woman. She is a college grad and feels she would have made manager in her old job, but, she can't seem to accomplish anything, seems to spend way too much time drinking coffee at the dog park, and doesn't notice major discrepancies with the finances at the building she manages. Caleb - seems like a sweet guy, except when he is telling you how much he has lost when his company went under while he is driving his Lamborghini, and wearing expensive shoes and clothes. The best part of the book for me was when Caleb's brother Lance shows up, now he seems really interesting.

The thing that bothered me the most was all the plot points that were introduced and then just disappeared. What happened with the financials for the Dorothy, why was Caleb's es-wife mentioned but never discussed, why was Riley's Mother even brought into the story. I really thought until the last few chapters she had died. As a story there were so many problems for me.

Received as an ARC from Netgalley.

A Cute, Sweet Romance with Fur Babies
This did not start out as a romance, but fur babies have a way of knowing who's good and who's not. Riley's poodle, LouLou (adopted) loved Caleb right off, not so much Riley though. She and Caleb were always battling about the apartment complex and the dog "park", but the sparks weren't always only in anger. Chemistry at work here!
The story base was good. Some of it, I felt, got a bit redundant, bringing up the past, over, done with, move on. I didn't care for the lack of communication, Riley always seemed to be stomping off instead of really listening to Caleb, so willing to always doubt him, and I felt he was always trying to make it right for her. Except when Caleb has the rug pulled out from under him, then she texts him--of course no answer as he feels betrayed, by everyone! Then she just ignores him and ends up being mad at him? SMH I didn't feel the flow, the give and take.
It was kind of funny that their Grandparents had been married to each other wbw, but I didn't care for their characters that much either, both controlling, just by different means.
I received an ARC thru NetGalley and am giving my honest opinions voluntarily.

I am going to admit right from the beginning, it was the title that sold me on this. When I read Cold Nose, Warm Heart I wanted to know more about the story, the cover was an added incentive. Mara Wells is a newer author for me to read books written by. I found this one to be a fun entertaining one. The poodle, LouLou is my personal reminder of the need for dog parks in cities. I live in a rural area so it is not an issue for me. However, LouLou and doggy friends need and deserve one.

Otherwise it is a cute story but not an especially emotional deep story for the two legged characters. The author kept it light not giving us a probing look into Caleb’s family relationships. Nor is the relationship between Caleb and Riley overly complex. They are on opposite sides of a building project, but this is fictional romance so everything works out in the end. All of this was fine with me. I never felt that I was going to be reading a deep life changing book. I want to be entertained and I was. Thank you, LouLou and friends.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had never read this author before, but I was drawn in by the cover. I love Labs. A story where the dogs are a big part of it? Count me in! I loved Caleb and Riley's story. The characters were all so fun, the author brings them to life, you feel like you know them. I love all the neighbors in The Dorothy, I especially love Grams. I can't wait to read more in this series and by Mara Wells!

This book was so cute! Full of adorable dogs and throw in some romance and it makes a great story.
Caleb's family has been dragged through the mud. He has lost what dignity he has and is trying to make something of himself and not to end up like his father. Caleb's grandfather wants to give him an apartment to redo if only he can get his brothers to sign on board. Brothers who have nothing to do with him.
Riley is the apartment manger of her grandmother's apartment and is run down but Caleb wants to change it all together and take out the dog park that all the neighbor's use as a play area for the dogs but is also a meeting place for the neighbors. Caleb and Riley butt heads from the very beginning and things don't look good for either of them to get their ways.
I received this from Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book had so much potential but I almost felt like I was missing the romance portion of it. Caleb is trying to redeem his family name and build luxury apartments but in order to do that the dog park would be gone. Riley is trying to stop so that she can keep the dog park where it is. While there are some good laughs and the story line was good, the romance fell flat. I couldn't connect to these two and had a hard time believing they were even attracted to each other. Some people may love it as the writing itself was good. But I didn't really care for it for me because I couldn't connect to the characters.

What a cute read! This was my first book by Mara Wells and I really loved Riley and Caleb! Plus how can you resist a book full of cute dogs who steal your heart?

Riley Carson has been trying to hold down the fort at her grandmother's art deco building that is a 55 plus residence on the Beach in Miami. After being laid off from the job that she loved with Donovan Resorts, being the building manager and super she at least gets to help her grandma and the makeshift dog park they put together next to the building is a great way to bring the community together. So imagine her surprise with the dashingly handsome Caleb Donovan shows up and says HE owns the building and will be tearing it down to erect a new and shinier condo in its place.

Caleb and Riley have this instant connection. But she can't be playing with the enemy, can she? There are secrets all around and when the two have to bring the issue to the city commissioners, each will do what they can to get their vision moved forward. The only thing is Caleb and Riley can deny the chemistry and the magnetism they have for each other. With their grandparents involved, it gets to be an even bigger mess than they initially thought it would be.

I really loved not only the main characters but all of the neighborhood friends (that I'm hoping will get some matchmaking in the future.) This was a fun read and can't wait for book two in the series.

Truly a keeper. I really became immersed in the story - it reminded me of my relationship with my family. My grandmother and I were more mother and daughter. I too was raised by my grandmother more than my mom. I always wanted to keep my grandmother happy - never wanting to disappoint her. Similar to how Riley and her grandmother were in the story.

Caleb was always trying to win the approval of his father / and grandfather in the Donavan properties. His father was convicted of tax evasion and bad business practices and placed in jail. The family lost everything. Caleb lost his wife and all the Donavan properties along with much of his income / assets.

Neither Caleb or Riley know that their grandparents were once married to each other. Gloria has never forgiven William for cheating on her while they were married, When they divorced she was given the Dorothy - an art deco building in the heart of the Florida beach scene. Neither Gloria of William has forgiven the other for what happened years ago. William had made sure that Gloria would always have a home in the Dorothy for as long as she was alive.

Riley had been an employee at one of the Donavan properties when the suit against Richard took place. She and the rest of the employees were laid off with no warning or severance package. Riley would up a the Dorothy as the new building manager. She has managed to keep the place bandaged for the last 2 years - at great emotional cost to her. She loves the entire building residents - but she feels like she is letting them down. The budget does not allow her to hire outside help to properly fix the buildings many problem.

Caleb learns of the building from his grandfather - the building was kept secret for all these years. William has big plans to bring / force all his grandsons to work together - to rebuild the once great Donavan name again. None of the grandsons want to work on a Donavan project after the debacle their father made to the business. The only one that is willing to try to bring the Dorothy up to date is Caleb - only after he discovers Riley and her bunch of neighborhood dog parents put road block after road block up to help save their dog park and neighbors.

I won't give the ending away - it is a must read for all dog lovers.

Riley has one thing in mind - well, that is after unplugging a clogged drain, changing a few light bulbs... - she needs to save her grandmother's building. Her grandmother, and a host of other elderly people, and their fantastic pets, all live at The Dorothy.

Caleb Donovan is connected to The Dorothy as well. After all,, he has plans. He is going to tear it down and build luxury condominiums. Little did Caleb realize what he would have to face in order to meet his objective. Caleb also plans on turning the local dog park into a parking structure.

Opposition towards Caleb and his ideas stop him dead in his tracks. Riley is currently the building manager and she is one of the people Caleb must fight against. It is business first, now if he could just get Riley to see that.

Not only do we see the war that is bound to explode between Caleb and Riley during the pages of this book, but we meet some delightful pets, like LouLou, the little poodle Riley adopted. I loved the scenes when Riley took LouLou to the dog park and how she had owr own group of friends. That was a pure delight.

Another enjoying factor while reading this book was the development and growth of the relationship between Caleb and Riley. And I just loved the feisty old neighbors. If I ever end up in an over-65 building I would love for it to be just like The Dorothy. Cold Nose, Warm Heart is the first book in a new series by Mara Wells. I look forward to reading about more canine shenanigans and couples finding love.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Wow!! This is such a well written book that definitely held my attention. It's a fun story and a brilliant start to a new series, that I will definitely be on the look out for future books. If you love a story which has sweet cute dogs and swoon worthy romance, you will definitely want to pick up this book. I look forward to reading the next book by this author and series. Happy reading!! 4 1/2 stars 🌟

I really loved this book. However, the puppy on the cover is not the cute little apricot poodle that stole the show within its pages. This puppy is Lady, who definitely plays a part. If you are in the mood to have your heart stolen by adorable furriness, this book is definitely for you.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

Cold Nose, Warm Heart is a fun romance with adorable pups, a classic yet crumbling apartment building, lots of long-time residents who will fight for their home, and a man who has an agenda far different from what he’s originally showing and a woman who might be in over her head in many ways but will not back down from a fight for what (and who) she loves.

While I enjoyed Caleb and Riley’s romance, for the most part, there were times when their story fell short for me. I liked them but I didn’t love them – and that’s not necessary to enjoy a book but I couldn’t fall easily into their world. Small reasons that ended up making a difference for me. Yet, that’s my opinion and you may feel very different. That’s the fun of reading, we each have our own takes on the same story.

Caleb is out to make his grandfather’s plans for The Dorothy a reality, Riley and crew are going to fight him every step of the way until he changes his mind. And along the way, in the middle of dog antics, seniors making their voices heard, Caleb and Riley will go beyond enemies to friends to lovers but that journey isn’t going to be easy. Since this is the first book in the series, there is world-building, there has to be to some extent. I simply wish I understood Caleb’s family dynamic better – but then, I suppose that will be explained throughout this series.

I enjoyed myself and really that’s all that matters, any questions in my mind will, I’m sure, be answered eventually. If you love pups and their antics, fighting for a cause that seems hopeless, and watching two unlikely people begin to really see each other enough to fall in love – then you’d enjoy Cold Nose, Warm Heart.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*