Pride & Puppies by Lizzie Shane hooked me in with the title. A reference to my favourite of Austen's works and puppies combined? Sounds like a hit to me.

You'll like this story if you like:
- Small town romances
- Jane Austen references
- Puppies
- Friends to lovers
- Great support systems
- Meddling family

The story introduces us to Charlotte who has been in multiple disastrous relationships where she's always putting in the most effort. She's a romantic at heart and being a huge Jane Austen fan has her looking for her Darcy. However, after her most recent break-up, she decides to take a break from men and take a chance on a puppy. She conjures up the idea of Puppy Pact with her best friends to vow to focus on herself and a new puppy rather than dating and men for the next six months. She doesn't anticipate George, the new town resident who she's become pretty close with over the past few months. George himself doesn't have a good track record with relationships but is looking for the one. It just so happens that he has a massive crush on Charlotte.

This book has all the makings of a Hallmark story and was a very cozy and cute story taking place in a small town in Vermont called Pinehallow.

First and foremost, I loved the puppies in this story. George's dog Duke and Charlotte's dog Bingley were named so well and I adored them.

I think the author did a great job of showing how two very different people could fit well together and make it work. Their fears of being in a relationship felt genuine and the author did a great job of using the people in both characters' lives as a medium for discussing and exploring Charlotte and George's fears and issues.

Charlotte has some great support in her life in the form of her two sisters and her two best friends. I appreciated that they understood where her fears and self-sabatoging nature was coming from and they didn't judge her but instead were honest with her and supportive when they saw her struggling or making bad decisions. I really enjoyed that Charlotte's best friend Kendall was the voice of reason for her and would call her out when necessary. I'd love to read a story about Kendall actually!

Similarly, I think George was an interesting male lead. I worried the author was taking a Nice Guy track but there was a pretty great spin on that. He's a man who grew up with multiple sisters, who knows how to respect women and is sensitive and welcoming to other people's needs. Truly a refreshing change! The author does a great job of exploring what that means for George, who is used to getting put in the back seat, and Charlotte, who hasn't been treated right by the men she's dated. However, George adores her and treats her right, sees her for who she is and loves everything about her. And that more than anything is what I loved about the story.

My main issues were with the pacing. The first half of the story was great and I was really excited to see how they fell in love, but I can't help but feel that it fell flat somewhere after the 50% mark. Some love stories don't need grand gestures and that huge firework show inside, but it felt like this one was leading to that but the spark kept flaming out until the final act? By then I wasn't so sure that these two were going to have a satisfying ending. It felt a bit rushed and I really wish we got more time spent on the pay-off. Some portions of the romance felt like they were a bit too 'fade to black' and we miss out on weeks of development.

This book is part of a broader series and I wasn't aware of this going in but I don't think it detracted anything from my overall reading experience! I'm more interested now in going back and seeing how Charlotte and George had their funny meet-cute/misunderstanding and became good friends.

If you love Hallmark movies, you'll definitely enjoy this read. It's very a sweet and quick read that leaves you feeling pleasant.

Thank you so much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This romance introduces us to Charlotte, who is a huge fan of Jane Austen as a way to stay connected to her late mother. She’s been on the search for her own Darcy but when she discovers her latest “Darcy” has been cheating on her she begins her Puppy Pact: get a dog and take a six month break from dating.

Her neighbor and co-worker, George, has had a crush on Charlotte basically from day one, but she has no idea. He’s also the new guy in town and no one will let him forget it. George is a delightful cinnamon roll hero, who is in a virtual book club with his sisters and has read every Jane Austen novel because Charlotte loves her, and he reads romance novels! He also has a dog.

The two are also neighbors and become platonic friends. You can take it from there.

Every chapter begins with a quote from an Austen novel, the setting is small town Vermont, both main characters have close relationships to their families, and Charlotte has two close female friends (future books?) and George is making new friends. The story isn’t breaking new ground and at times I felt frustrated by the main characters lack of communication which would have resolved things a lot sooner. There is also a lot of puppy/dog cuteness in this book as expected.

Overall, this closed door romance was very sweet and easy to read!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

#Pride&Puppies #LizzieShane #ReadForeverPub #NetGalley #Romance #Bookstagram #ReadingRomance

Pride & Puppies is a cute small town romance. It’s name suggests a Pride & Prejudice retelling but it’s more a mix of Jane Austen references and more an Emma type story than Pride and Prejudice. Charlotte is looking for a Mr. Darcy—only she keeps finding the wrong man, so she decides to swear off men and get a puppy to devote her love to. George, her neighbor, is trying to find where he belongs in this small town of Pine Hollow and has been infatuated with charlotte since he met her but a family situation has his contemplating moving back home, but just as he tells Charlotte, she realizes he might be more than a friend. This book was really cute, but I had a hard time really getting into it. Charlotte is constantly talking about how she doesn’t need a man, and it just felt repetitive and it lacked a little growth. George too was super sweet but honestly too nice—I feel like I never got to know him really because his decisions were always based on the needs of others. It was hard to feel their chemistry for a while too, but I loved their friendship. It was so sweet and honest and as they fell for each other, I loved this wasn’t a sweeping romance—what was beautiful in this romance was the genuineness in their normalcy. They felt real, they acted real, and it was very romantic in that sense. I also really loved the Jane Austen references and the small town of Pine Hollow was just great! It is overall a cute, fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to read and review Pride & Puppies!

I feel compelled to start this review by admitting my bias. I am a sucker for anything that is Jane Austen related! This book starts each chapter with a quote from one of Austen's books, which tugged at my heart right away.

This book is cute, heartwarming and fun. The main and side characters were likeable and I enjoyed getting the dual perspectives of the main characters as the story played out. Charlotte has decided to swear off men and enter in a puppy with her closest friends (which I absolutely respect). George is her neighbor, who has had a crush on her for a long time, and they become quite close while she is learning what it takes to be a dog mom. The main characters side relationships (especially George and his sisters) were also very endearing and helped us understand who each character was on a deeper level.

Although I liked the characters, they could be a bit frustrating at times, specifically Charlotte. We spent too long in this book battling her insecurities and self-doubt over what she is looking for in life. The middle of the book dragged a bit for me while we muddled through those emotions with her.

Overall, this book is a light-hearted, funny, charming and quick read. If you are looking for a friends to lovers set in a small town with some serious netflix binging, Jane Austen references and PUPPIES, this is the book for you!!!

Fyi - This book is a part of a series! I have not read the other books though and didn't feel like I was missing anything because of that.

Dr. Charlotte Rodriguez has sworn off men. After too many bad relationships, she decides adopting a puppy would be a better use of her time and energy than dating. Her neighbor and coworker, the "new guy" in town physical therapist George has two things: knowledge of how to train a dog, being as he has one of his own, and a ginormous crush on Charlotte.

This book was SO CUTE. I am honestly probably being bias because I am an extreme dog lover, but I thought this story was adorable.

Charlotte is loud, a bit spastic, quirky and loving. She is obsessed with Jane Austen, but after a long line of dating Mr. Darcy's, she realizes that might not be the happy ending she is after.

George is extremely selfless, constantly taking care of those around him. He is also very patient and quiet. He thinks he could never have a lasting shot with Charlotte because he is no Mr. Darcy.

While both main characters were a bit self deprecating, which is not a trait I love in MCs, they were also both loveable. I loved their sweet banter together. And I love how much of their time revolved around both of their doggies. There were plenty of cute dog scenes in this book for any fellow animal lovers out there.

I did not even realize that this book was part of a series until I was tracking it in my GoodReads app. You do not at all need to read the other books to be able to follow this one.

I definitely recommend giving this book a try.

This book is quick and fun. A truly delightful read! I giggled and smiled a lot while reading the book. I genuinely enjoyed the characters.

I didn’t know when I originally requested this on Netgalley that this was the fourth in the series, but thankfully, this is well-done as a standalone.

We are following Charlotte, who has sworn off men and instead embarked on a Puppy Pact after years of falling for the wrong “Mr. Darcys” - no dating men for six months, and she adopts a puppy (she names Bingley!) and loves him instead.

George has been holding a torch for his colleague Charlotte (known by him lovingly as Charles) for years, and right when she's finally single, he shoots his shot, only for her to think he asked her out as a joke. They end up falling deeper into friendship and bond over their canines, only to question their true feelings for one another.

I loved the Austen references throughout the book, as well as the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. This was just pure puppy escapism offering a clean romance (which could have used a bit more steam for me!)

The characters themselves are well-written, and I understood their personalities and motivations. However, I really felt George’s unrequited romance and Charlotte’s friend-zoning more than a loving relationship between two people. I loved the friends-to-lovers trope, but Charlotte was constantly trying to hook George up with other women - it felt like he was totally in the friend-zone and then she just all of a sudden switched, and it was too difficult to believe their relationship on a truly romantic level.

I would love to read the other earlier novels in the series (and plan on doing that) just to see the other romances throughout the town and start from the beginning, because the side characters were so much fun in this!

If you’re looking for a clean and sweet romance in a small town between friends-to-lovers, I would definitely recommend this!

** Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review**

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book for the purpose of this review!

This was an adorable book to begin my week. I loved the story and of course the dogs too. I was able to read most of it while my own pups were sleeping on my lap. Extra cozy factor right there.

While I didn't read the three books before this one I was able to still enjoy the characters and their story. I loved that the main one was a doctor and that she wears off men in favor of a puppy! I could identify with that! Shane's writing is laugh out loud funny and that made for a quick page turner.

This was a really adorable, feel-good read. I liked that George and Charlotte didn’t fit the mold of most other couples. They really were friends for a long time before it turned into something more. Charlotte was certainly unique, but in a refreshing way. This clearly showed the feelings of the characters without going overboard or becoming repetitive. Really nice, Hallmark-type, small-town romance. 4.5⭐️, 1🌶

I love Pride and Prejudice fan fiction, so I was excited to dive into this book.

This is the first book that I have read in this series, and I would definitely have to say that it is a standalone novel. It’s not necessary to read this series in order.

Charlotte is a motivated woman, desperately trying to find her own “Mr Darcy”. However being single once more, she starts to come to the realize that while dark brooding aloof men may be great in works of fiction, they are not great in real life. Enter her sweet, shy neighbour George. Although he is not her usual type, she really enjoys spending time with him. However, in order for them to go from friends to lovers she needs to work though her own insecurities and hang ups. Enemies to lovers may work great in fiction, but in real life friends to lovers often has the best result.

Overall this was a cute and sweet read. I enjoyed the well developed and entertaining main and side characters. What I didn’t like was that I felt the the plot became meandering and a bit dull at the half way point.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book to read and review.

While each book in this series can likely be read as standalones, the groundwork for each successive book is laid in previous installments. Knowing Charlotte was a diehard Jane Austen fan while reading book three made it easy to connect with her in this fourth book.

It was patently easy to see from the third book in this series how sad Charlotte was and why she made the decision to swear off men. In fact, she trades men for a dog, a new puppy with whom she connects with instantly. The problem comes in when her friend George just might become more. Unaware of his long-standing crush, Charlotte continues with her determination to remain single. In fact, she is going to find the perfect woman for him.

I love both Charlotte and George’s relationships with their sisters. Especially with Charlotte and the loss they shared. This is where the constant Jane Austen references come into this sweet book. In fact, having not read Jane Austen is something I plan on changing in the coming year.

Is it too sweet, too gimmicky? Perhaps. But in today’s troubled world, why not take a bite of something that makes you feel warm and gooey inside?

One thing that I love about this series is there are an inordinate amount of singles, but then, that gives us the potential for lots more delightfully enjoyable books by Lizzie Shane!

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

A small town, dual POV, friends to lovers, self-discovery, and romance inspired by Jane Austen. yes yes yes sign me up! George and Charlotte are friends and coworkers living in the small town of pine hollow Vermont. Charlotte has always lived in pine hollow and is constantly looking for her Mr. darcy. George recently moved to pine hollow for a change in scenery.
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I loved how much charlotte grew throughout this book and how she never settled despite her many many boyfriends that she had. All of the characters were so refreshing and honest. I loved Georges's relationship with his sisters and the zoom call book clubs that they did. The dogs added a fun aspect and I enjoyed seeing charlotte learn to navigate having a new puppy and then how George and charlotte would go on walks and play with both their dogs together.
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overall this book was really fast-paced and the characters were really enjoyable to read about!

Charlotte Rodriguez has always been searching for her modern-day Mr. Darcy, but after a bad breakup she decides she’s sworn off men and instead will focus all her love on her new puppy.... except her cute neighbor and friend has suddenly started dropping hints that he’s in love with her. Charlotte has just caught her boyfriend cheating on her... and this only one guy in a long line of guys who have been disappointing and wrong for her. She’s been a long time Jane Austen fan and has always been looking for her own Mr. Darcy, except so far, it has definitely not been working out. Tired of dating the wrong guy she’s decided to take a break from dating and instead get a puppy, someone to love her unconditionally. Who better to help her get some pet advice than her neighbor and coworker George Leneghan. He is handsome, friendly, and way too sweet to ever be her type, but little does she know he’s been in love with her for a while now but he just never had the opportunity to tell her. George wants Charlotte to see him as more than just the nice guy but she’s been keeping him in the friendzone for a while. But the more time they spend together, the more they start to flirt and possible broach the stage of more than friends... except they both have their own issues. Charlotte wants to date someone who doesn’t just want to please her and doesn’t just want to chase after the fantasy of her while George wants to date someone who will choose him who will like him for him. Can these two finally communicate and make it work or is the timing just wrong? This was an okay read for me, you can get frustrated with the way both of them go back and forth with each other, but I did enjoy the Jane Austen-esque quirks of the story. Overall it was a really sweet story but it just didn’t hit the mark for me.

*Thanks Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Don’t it always seem to go, you don't know what you've got ‘til it's gone.”
-Joni Mitchell
Or in the case of Pride And Puppies, until you do all you can to give it away.
The infamous 'it' of course, being the love of your life.
A.K.A. The person you want to watch corny reality T.V. with.
A.K.A. The person who doesn't lead you to decide to forego relationships with people for more meaningful ones with dogs.
A.K.A. The person who has been standing right in front of you the whole book!

Pride And Puppies is cute.
In fact, it's awww wrapped in a pink cashmere blanket, on a train through the snow covered mountains, full of solid white, new born, Pomeranian puppies, cute.
The problem...
There are no surprises to be found here.

Readers know beyond a shadow of a doubt. From the time that our beloved leading lady breaks up with her cheating boyfriend. And begins to eschew "everything Darcy"
(A nod to her late mother's love for Pride And Prejudice.)
Except for her friend and co-worker, George Leneghan.
Whom she has promptly friend zoned.

See where this is going?
Yeah. I know.
Insert dramatic sigh here...
I'll wait.

Meanwhile there are all these reasons and circumstances which are allowed to insert themselves into the lives of both parties. Which act as both barriers and deterrents.
To the modern bonding ritual that is playing out before our eyes. Complete with shared time with mutual pets and streaming service watching commitments.

This is the ultimate in "the last to know, but really though...reads."
It just so happens to be the fourth book of the Pine Hollow series.
Small town romance anyone?

If cute, sure thing, small town, awe for grown ups, that one doesn't have to think too hard about is your thing. Pride And Puppies is just the literary chew toy for you.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Forever for providing the review copy on which this honest review is based.

Publication Nov. 22, 2022

Main character Charlotte is obsessed with Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". Or, at least obsessed with the idea of finding the perfect man, her own Mr. Darcy, a man who will value and treasure her above all else. Sounds good in theory but, well, reality bites.

Charlotte has just broken up with her boyfriend and has sworn off men, well, for six months. She even talks her friends into doing the same and, maybe more importantly, into all of them adopting a dog. I liked that the one she picks isn't perfect, just close. So, yes, she can accept a non-perfect "perfect dog" but has trouble applying that concept to her choice in men. Enter George, a neighbor who is "just a friend" who provides dog expertise. George has his own dreams and we do alternate between them periodically, so we see things from both vantage points. Can "just friends" become true lovers and life partners?

In the process of following their story, we also get glimpses into the lives of George's family and Charlotte's friends. Charlotte is pushy enough to talk them into her Puppy Plan but as much as I love dogs, even the perfect dog won't solve all your problems. It's interesting to follow along as not just George and Charlotte sort things out -- and if patience defines a saint, George is a saint for tolerating the whims and needs of Charlotte -- who he dubs Charles. He's definitely the sort of person one can depend on although he shows depths I hadn't anticipated. Let's just say, self-growth happens for both.

Although I honestly was lukewarm about Charlotte, she is very real. She's smart, well-educated, loves her family and friends, but also pushy and needy, only to push away others to protect them from, no lie, being hurt by her. In other words, she's quite realistic while also having unrealistic expectations, if that makes any sense. While this wasn't quite the book for me, it was well written and has much to offer those who love the entire concept of love and family as put forth by Jane Austen. Luckily for Charlotte, she finds others who help her find her way to a more realistic, less needy place despite all the roadblocks erected to protect.

Thanks #NetGalley and #Forever - #GrandCentralPublishing for introducing me to Charlotte and George, not to mention their delightful canine companions. As an Alaskan myself, I was delighted to discover Lizzie Shane is, too.

I was hoping this book would be as cute as its title, but I just could not connect with the characters and the story. This was a did not finish title for me. I think it has potential to be great for fans of Jane Austen, and the one piece I did enjoy were the quotes from various Jane Austen novels. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC to read and review.

This was a fun and easy contemporary romance. Lovers of Jane Austen will enjoy the references and allusions. Definitely good for lovers of a small-town romance.

Small town, slow burn, friends to lovers romance with a dose of 4 legged friends.

Charlotte has just broken up with her cheating boyfriend, and sworn of men, and signed up to get a puppy in what she calls a puppy pact. George is the new guy in town and is looking to fit in after living there for a year and a half. He has had a crush on Charlotte for a while and when he sees his opportunity to ask her out while she is single he takes it. Only Charlotte doesn't take it seriously and instead vows to play matchmaker for him. They essentially start platonic dating, and Charlotte never actually sets him up with anyone. will they eventually find their way together or be too stubborn to realize what is under their noses.

This one was so much fun, I love small town romances. Especially when they feature cute dogs and puppies, lots of Jane Austen references, a swoon worthy love interest and 2 oblivious characters who love each other but don't realize it.

3.25 ⭐️

If you're looking for Hallmark vibes mixed with some Jane Austen quotes and references, along with the friends-to-lovers trope, and adorable pupperoos...this is most definitely the read for you!
A romance between doctor and physical therapist, Pride and Puppies delivers on a quick and sweet read about a Hero that falls first, and a heroine set on staying oblivious to the man's feelings.

I do appreciate a good friends-to-lovers romance but the constant reminding of friends JUST STAYING friends, takes a bit out of the reading experience. Although I came to understand Charlotte, I was just constantly infuriated by her obliviousness. But George, on the other hand, was utter perfection. At times feeling sorry for the poor man, I just adored the hell out of him, and he made the story just so much sweeter.

Overall, a very enjoyable read, and the perfect feel-good romance :)

*𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨), 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯-𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸*

You all know why I picked up this book, and it’s not for the puppies. But when the FMC’s father was compared to Mr Bennet for being kind and caring, I knew I’d have trouble. But I dove in, hoping for hallmark cuteness.

Charlotte is oblivious Emma Woodhouse who has friend-zoned George, the Mr Knightley role—but he’s more of a passive Edward Ferrars than a direct Knightley.

The supporting characters were more engaging than the couple. Way too slow, way too much telling. The MCs lacked depth and chemistry and never captured my interest. This is part of a series and I think it’d help to read in order.

Each chapter begins with a quote from an Austen novel—except chapter 17 that attributes a movie quote to her. “We are all fools in love” is not from Austen. It’s from the 2005 P&P movie. And this so called Austen fan or her editor should’ve known that.

So then I skimmed the rest to see how it ended and saved myself some time and frustration.