I mean, i love a romantic type of book with lots of adorable animals in it. But this was missing something, the humans and their conections was slightly boring.

I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can't wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining.

A nice romance that involves puppies. Olivia is a volunteer rescue driver for local animal shelter. When she and Gabe the vet head to pick up pets that have been misplaced their car breaks down. There is instant attraction but Gabe is reluctant to take a risk. As he gets to know Olivia he learns she might be worth it.

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: HEAD OVER PAWS by Debbie Burns https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-bt7
Publication Date: April 28, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 5 Stars

I enjoyed this contemporary romance. Was it the relationship? The dogs? I think all of it. Olivia and Gabe were easy to relate to and very likable, it had me rooting for them from the beginning. I also think the author dealt with their instant attraction nicely. Yes, it was strong, but they also got to know each other so it was more than just physical. I can’t say enough about how I loved the brief glimpses into the dog’s perspective. That grabbed my heart and wouldn’t let go. It is an entertaining and touching book.

*Review copy provided by Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.


Kindle https://amzn.to/2VKMnJg

DNF, I am a sucker for a romance cover with a dog but unfortunately this one didn't really work for me. It didn't hold my attention and I felt like I was skimming so I ended up putting it down & not getting back to it.

Head Over Paws is a coming of age story for Olivia Graham in this fifth installment in the Rescue Me series. She felt she was missing something in her life so she cancelled her wedding and moved to St. Louis to work as a teacher. She also volunteered for the High Grove Animal Shelter as a transporter and unfortunately her car broke down before she even got to the rescue. Veterinarian Gabe Wentworth was asked to pick her up and reluctantly did it, not realizing it would change his life. Gabe had a self-imposed hiatus from women after his own engagement fell apart, but he was feeling something for Olivia that he hadn’t felt before. Was she the One? Olivia felt something too and worried that it was too soon and too fast to have such a strong attraction.

Head Over Paws was an absolute delightful read. It was told in the point of view of Olivia, Gabe and the rescue dog Morgan. Each shared their feelings, doubts and backstory, which just made the story even better. The shelter served as a connecting point for both main characters and the reader can also catch up on past characters. It is also a story that can be read as a stand-alone. Olivia had the most changes and I’m so glad to see she knew she still needed to do more for herself before she went all in with Gabe. It was a very touching story and a very sweet romance. I’ve enjoyed the stories in the Rescue Me series and this one just might be my favorite.

Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns - “Olivia Graham isn't in a position to have a dog of her own, but her new position as a volunteer rescue driver for the local animal shelter will keep her close to her four-legged friends. When she's called to transport dogs and cats that have been misplaced by flooding, she doesn't hesitate to help, but her aging car isn't as reliable as she is...She's picked up by veterinarian Gabe Wentworth, former EMT and firefighter, who's also heading to the rescue site. After a bad breakup, Gabe's embraced the hermit life. When he meets Olivia, he can't deny their irresistible mutual attraction, and his first thought is to run the other direction. But the more he learns about the woman who would risk everything to save vulnerable animals, the more he realizes what he might be willing to risk.” This is a light cozy story about romance and animals. Reading this book will make you feel incredibly happy. I recommend it and would like to read more books by Debbie Burns. The love these characters have for dogs is overwhelmingly sweet. Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy.

If you are in the mood for a slow-burning romance, then Head Over Paws is the right one. And you will get to read about the adorable dogs rescue. Olivia Graham is finally getting her life on track. It may not be ideal from her family but it’s something to her. And I definitely am proud of her for going what she wants even though family may be against it but it’s your life in the end of it. And she is striving for herself in the world and others such as rescuing the cute animals. One of the cutest animals does capture her attention especially when she rescues them with the sexy vet Gabe Wentworth.Gabe Wentworth never expected to be attracted to someone while doing an animal rescuing. But love always happened unexpectedly, you just need to follow the ride. And that’s what Gabe is willing to do. It may be surprisingly since his last relationship but there is a spark between Olivia and him. I can see it that I want them to go all forth.

Release Date: April 28th, 2020
📖📖📖📖📖
Olivia is finally getting a chance at her own life after breaking off her engagement to Trevor, the golden boy of her home town. She moves in with her aunt and begins volunteering with a shelter. Along the way she meets Gabe. A vet with a sweet senior golden named Sampson.
This is the fifth installment of the #rescueme series and I love it! We get to see old characters and catch up with them. I am really hoping that Yuns story is next!! This book was a wonderful display of a healthy adult relationship, there was no miscommunication and they were very deliberate in their words and actions. I highly recommend this book and the series!!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

#rescueme #headoverpaws #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #sweetromancenovels #netgalleyreads

I love Debbie Burns' world full of sweet couples and cute doggos. I have to say, I lived for those chapters from the dog's POV. Perfect cozy book to snuggle up with in a hammock or under a blanket.

The thing I love most about reading Debbie's books, is it's like getting a hug from a friend you haven't seen in forever,

Thoroughly enjoyable. Can't wait for the next one.

Such a cute story! I enjoyed it so much that I bought the first 4 books in the series.

Many thanks to the author, the publishers, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Head Over Paws is the fifth title in the Rescue Me series – and this one stole my heart from the very beginning… especially as we get several points of view in this story – including one amazing dog’s, Morgan.

While Olivia can’t have her own dog that doesn’t stop her from lavishing all her love on the pups at a shelter she volunteers at. Right now she’s heading out to be the driver/rescuer of dogs and cats devastated by local flooding – except maybe her car isn’t up to the very real challenge. Fortunately, her hero, in the form of Gabe and his now-retired dog, Samson come to her rescue — and straight into each other’s hearts.

I’m going to admit that I waited impatiently for Morgan’s chapters. I did. While I loved Olivia and Gabe who are perfect for each other once they get past the trust/risk issues, it was definitely one pup who won my heart in Head Over Paws. If you’ve ever wondered what your dog is “really” thinking about your shenanigans then this is the perfect book for you.

I had such fun with this couple as they navigate not only floodwaters but getting beyond those perceived risk factors they both have. As always in the Rescue Me series, the animals are just (if not more) important to the overall story – and I’ve a feeling you’ll fall in love with Samson and Morgan quite easily. I know I did. Looking for a story to steal your heart in these challenging times? Head Over Paws should do the trick very nicely.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Sourcebooks Casablanca 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.*

Special thanks to Sourcebooks for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

I really wanted to love this book so much. I love heartwarming romances & I certainly love books about dogs. For some reason, I had a hard time connecting with these characters. I wound up skimming it after 1/3 of the way through.

Thank you for the opportunity to be an early reader.

I've read several of the previous installments and though it's been a teeny bit, it was lovely to "come home"...though as Olivia proves here, that's not always the case, and yet it doesn't mean a new, unexpected dream can't come true.


Our leading potential couple consists of Olivia and Gabe. She's a school teacher looking for a bit of stability job wise, who loves animals, and is mending a broken heart while finding out who she really is. He's a former fireman turned veterinarian, just establishing himself, and perfectly content to share his love with his four legged buddy, Samson, as he too is mending a broken heart. A natural tragedy brings them together, and, if either has a say in the matter (and sweet Morgan into the picture!), or can get their footing on solid enough ground to truly speak their heart, nothing will tear them apart. Can an unexpected romance as powerful as the rising flood waters they fought be fate at work? Or will the currents of change be too strong to overcome?

I gotta say it, I REALLY LOVE THIS SERIES! The stories are heartfelt, the characters ever so memorable, and the tails beyond heart warming! Yes, I said tails because each story not only has the human aspect, but the furry friend one as well. Samson was in my heart instantly and the connection he shared with Gabe, a true testament to one another. The newly named Morgan's life certainly hit some rough spots, and the chapters from his point of view about broke my heart, but it was remended a million times over by book's end.


All in all, a great read for Contemporary Romance fans with a bit of heat, heart, and four legged love to boot! If you've not checked out this series, I highly suggest you do and, in case were wondering, they do work as stand alones!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary –☆☆☆☆
Olivia Graham has signed up to be a volunteer rescue driver, and on her first attempt to help rescue animals displaced by a flood, her car breaks down. She is waiting for someone to pick her up when a sexy man drives up.

Gabe Wentworth is a veterinarian and a volunteer at an animal shelter. When he leaves the shelter, he gets a call to help a stranded rescue driver. When he pulls up and sees the redheaded beauty, he is immediately attracted to her. Feelings he hasn't felt in years are brought to the surface.

Gabe and Olivia go on a wild ride from rescuing a dog trapped in a pen with rising river water, to her losing her phone, and then finding they work near each other. They try to make a relationship work but with the school year coming to a close, Olivia might be leaving the city to find another job.

What will happen if she has to take a job elsewhere? Can they continue a relationship seeing each other on the weekends? Will they continue to volunteer at the shelter?

This is a great story that is filled with fun, a sexy man, and fun-loving dogs and cats. This a first for me from this author and I want to read the rest of this series. If you love stories with fun, dogs, and a love to last, then you need to read this one.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Romance

Olivia is wanting to give back in some way and, despite loving her job as a teacher, she feels adrift. When she is asked to help drive rescued dogs from a flooded area, she jumps at the chance. However, she runs into some trouble on her way to get the dogs.

Gabe knows that he is a good vet. But with a history that has left him slightly bitter, he keeps his head down and just wants to help as many animals as he can. Yun is his best friend from school and even though she keeps him sane, she also drives him insane sometimes. It's at her insistence that he drive down to do all he can for the animals that are being displaced by a massive flood.

While Gabe is wary of helping a stranger, he sees that Olivia does need it and he can't bring himself to just strand her. This is where the romance kind of misses the target for me. They have some good chemistry here and there, but for the most part, Gabe is still hung up on his issues and Olivia is worried about where she will be next year.

They both love animals, dogs especially, but that just isn't enough to keep them in the romance department. I felt that their relationship was very young adult. It didn't really have a grownup feeling to it, and they were fairly involved in their own insecurities for the majority of the story. While I did like the dog's perspective, I wished there had been more of that and less of Gabe and Olivia's dancing around.

Overall, this was just an okay read for me. It was quick and fun, but lacked in the development of the relationship aspect. That's not to say that there was no development, it just missed the mark for me on moving their relationship forward.

Complementary copy given for honest review and opinion

This book was such a sweet book centered around animals and the love of animals. It is the perfect animal lovers romance.

3.5 Woof Woof Stars
* * * 1/2
I love it when you have the guy be sure about the woman early. When he has figured out this gal is for him and the gal is a hot mess. Debbie Burns wrote a charming and sweet story and it fits perfectly with the rest of the series.

Super cute, fun, sweet book. I like to call it good for the soul reading, Loved it. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

This was my second book by Debbie Burns and I enjoyed Head Over Paws just as much as I did the first one I read. I'm a sucker for dogs, but I also really enjoyed the love at first sight aspect of the book.
Gabe was an incredible main character. He was sexy, caring, honest and forthright. He pretty much had his life in order, whereas Olivia's was a little more messy. The story flowed well and left me very happy (which is all I ask).
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I cannot resist a book with a dog or a cat on the cover and I love Debbie Burn's stories so this was a winner for them.
I fell in love with the cover and then I fell in love with the story.
It's sweet, engrossing and entertaining. I rooted for the well thought cast of characters, humans and pets, and I enjoyed the well crafted plot.
Can't wait to read other books in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.