I absolutely floved this book!!

Jaci Burton is one of those authors that I don't even need to read the description for her books anymore. I just know I will want to read to read it and see what I get haha.

I started reading her back with a big chunk of her sports romances. And just kept expanding my way through her different books.

I loved this one though. It was sweet and adorable. And had some really good characters. And dogs haha.

I loved the premise though. It set up some fun hijinks and was just a fun and new take on a fixer upper story.

Hazel is broke and homeless when a friend lets her stay in a home that is for sale. It's working out fine until the house is sold and new owner Linc wants Hazel and her dog pack gone. She assumes he is a contractor, not the owner and makes a deal to help with the construction. When she finds out he's the owner and very rich things fall apart. A good story of pet rescue and a happy ending.

This was beautifully written. Something about it really spoke deep. Deep and real connections, deep bonding, deep love and healing. Just. So. Freaking. Gorgeous.

A fun, forced proximity roommance between a secret millionaire house flipper and a recently divorced, down on her luck foster dog mom. Set in Florida, this was flirty, steamy and full of great canine sidekicks. I really enjoyed this, especially on audio! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: open door

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I didn’t love this one, the rom-com didn’t hit like most Berkley romances tend to do. It felt wildly unbelievable and the characters felt really bland and two-dimensional unfortunately.

Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

This was a fun and entertaining story brimming with cuteness. And look at that cover! Gorgeous!

Jaci Burton had such an inviting writing style. I fell into the story quickly with the polished and relatable prose. The premise of the story was a bit unbelievable but I was able to push that truth aside and enjoy the book for the light and fun read that it is. The story was fairly fast-paced so it was a quick read.

I didn't feel much of a connection with the main characters. I certainly empathized with them easily enough but I didn't feel that tug that you feel deep inside when you just get someone. Even so, I still enjoyed their characterization and development. Each has their hangups so it is a little journey to get through them. I admit, I loved all the dogs as side characters. They really added a little something to the story.

I wasn't that into the romance though it did have its moments. The reason why it mostly didn't work for me is because of all the instalove going on. Instalove is not my thing and I typically steer clear of it. The steamy moments were great and I felt that Hazel and Linc each brought something to the relationship that the other needed.

Overall, this was an adorable story that works quite well if you can suspend belief a little bit. The premise may be a little far-fetched but when it comes down to it this book did have some lovely moments. In the end, this story is about some damaged souls (humans and foster dogs included) that find each other and create something beautiful together. If you are a fan of instalove, dogs, forced proximity, and lighthearted stories then you will love this one!

Housebroke was an adorable, fun completely entertaining story. Linc is a swoony hero. I loved Hazel and her pups so much and enjoyed everything about this book except I was slightly disappointed in the ending (but only slightly)
-4 Stars-

This was a light and easy read, but I felt like it was lacking in depth. Hazel had some big life dreams, but also never seemed to do enough to achieve any of them. She make a big deal about her independence yet lacked the ability to actually be independent. She has the frustrating view of “it will just work out”. But sometimes it doesn’t and it made me with someone would really force her to look at her choices and finally start living instead of drifting.

Linc was almost too easy going and it seemed we never really got to know him. I would have liked to see more between him and his family and what his dream life really means to him. He skirts around the idea of planting down roots, but also seeks this nomadic lifestyle, so that never felt totally genuine.

This did also make me think about how I obsessed I am with my dog. Spoiler - I am the most obsessed with him.

This is a sweet romance which has misunderstandings but also a lot of heart. It’s fun to see Hazel a housesitter interact with link who is the new owner of the house she supposed to be sitting. Link lets Hazel stay because she needs a place while he renovates and she starts to find him smart and funny. Lincoln Hazel start to fall for one another but the tooth of who link really is can throw a wrench into the relationship. It’s cute with likable characters and is quite entertaining from start to finish.

Thank you to Berkley for the arc! All thoughts are my own.

Housebroke centers around Hazel, a recently divorced, down on her luck foster mom for 5 dogs that is currently squatting in her friend’s house while she figures out her next move. In comes Linc, the new owner of the home who is here to flip the house for a profit. They live together during the construction and a Pretty Woman esque romance ensues.

This was not it for me because this book requires you to just believe in straight irrationality. In what world is a foster dog program going to allow this woman to have 5 dogs with different health care and behavioral needs when she doesn’t even have a permanent address? In what world is your friend allowing you to squat at her house that’s on the market and OOPS forgot to tell you I sold it here’s the hot new homeowner here to fix it up! This book is lucky I like dogs because otherwise, I don’t think I would have finished it.

A millionaire and a woman who thinks he is a house flipper are stuck living together with a menagerie of rescue dogs, in this heartfelt romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton.

 

Housebroke is a forced-proximity rom-com that just did not hit the mark for me. I love the idea of house flipping but I loved the dogs more and I think I would have been happy to just read about them than the two main characters, Hazel and Linc, and all their issues and past problems.

I have been wanting to pick up a Jaci Burton book for a long time, and now I am wishing I had done it sooner! Housebroke was a sweet, fun, and emotional read with two characters I loved so much.

After her ex cheated on her and stole her money, Hazel is trying to rebuild her life. When Linc buys the house she is staying in they - and the dogs she fosters - become unlikely roommates.

Despite the unusual situation Hazel and Linc clicked so quickly and I loved how their relationship grew from friendship into so much more. The dual POV was really nice. You get to see Hazel's confidence coming back and how much she loves what she does as well as how hard Linc falls for her.

This was a really great read and I can't wait to read more of Jaci's books!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝘼 𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙝𝙚'𝙨 𝙖 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙘𝙠 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨.

📍 Read if you like:
• Forced Proximity
• Opposites Attract
• Rescue Dogs
• Romcoms

This was such a fun and quick read. It’s definitely more on the sweet and lighthearted side, so if you’re looking for a romcom like that then this might be for you.

This one starts off so strong with these characters meeting right away and there’s a forced proximity early on - with the house they end up living together in. Hazel was an interesting character and I loved how she cared so much for rescue dogs - Linc was also intriguing with his millionaire side, but he was actually likable.

I loved the connection between both characters and seeing how their feelings evolve over time. The dogs in this were so fun, it just made the book so much more heartwarming and lighthearted. It was a sweet romcom all around.

The characters were super sweet and the story was just so sweet and funny. I flew through it as the writing felt super easy to get into. I also enjoyed the pacing, while I do think the book could’ve wrapped up a bit better.

This felt like one of those cozy reads you pick up when you just want a happy book. I definitely picked this one up because of the dogs, and they did not disappoint in this book.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkley for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!

I'll pretty much go for any book with a dog on the cover, and "Housebroke" did not disappoint! Hazel, who had no where to go after the end of her marriage, is currently staying in her friend's home with the numerous foster dogs that she cares for untl she can get back on her feet. The only problem is that the home is currently up for sale, so she is only able to stay there until it sells. She arrives home one day to find a strange man working in the home, and finds out that the house has sold and somehow she was not informed. Linc, the new owner, is simply planning on renovating the house to flip, and Hazel and Linc work out an arrangement where she and the dogs can remain in the home during the renovations, and she will be his personal chef while there. Hazel has issues with trust due to her previous relationship, and Linc, who happens to be much wealthier than he has let on, does as well, due to women only being interested in his wealth. Hazel and Linc must learn to navigate through their issues as they begin to fall in love, until the renovation comes to an end.

This was an adorable story, and both Hazel & Link were extremely likable characters, and it was easy to root for them to get together in the end. A little far-fetched, i.e. who lets someone with a bunch of dogs stay in their home that's on the market to sell for free? And then doesn't tell them when it sells so they can get out? But its ok- the story was cute and I adored it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the Berkley Besties program for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute forced proximity romance for readers who are dog lovers. The banter was fun and I think if you are looking for a light, quick read then this would be a good choice. The standout characters to me were the dogs and unfortunately the romance was just a little forgettable.

Many thanks to Berkley & Netgalley for the ARC.

Hazel is broke after her ex-husband stole all her money. Luckily, her friend let her stay in her home in Orlando, along with her menagerie of dogs that she fosters, until the house could be sold. But, her house did sell, and the friend forgot to tell Hazel, so Hazel almost clobbers Lincoln (Linc) Kennedy when he comes into the house while she is there.
Linc allows Hazel to stay in the house after he hears her sad story, and Hazel becomes his cook. Linc is a multi-millionaire, but Hazel thinks he is a house flipper. Linc doesn't want to tell her, because money makes people change.
Linc begins to fall for Hazel and her dogs, and the feeling is mutual.
This is a really cute story about one woman's fight to be independent, and the man who encourages her to follow her dreams.
I don't think the cover is great on this one - looks cartoonish.

Housebroke by Jaci Burton is an absolute wonderful read! First, I will read anything from this author. She got me back into reading with her previous series and I will forever read EVERYTHING she writes. This book is a bout Hazel who is a foster mom for dogs. Linc is renovating the house Hazel lives in and they form a dog bond. I think this story was so cute and gave me the warm fuzzyies. Who doesn't love a story about dogs with personalities for days! Thank you Jaci for being the best author!!

I love cute romances with lovable characters and Housebroke definitely fits that bill. I enjoyed this story a great deal- Hazel is rebuilding her life and Linc (I really didn't care for the name) is renovating the house she's been staying in. I really loved the pups Hazel fosters in the story and the book was a great escape from real life. Definitely a fun read!

Hazel Bristow was left penniless and homeless by her ex-husband. She is not alone, however, as she has the five foster dogs that she is caring for. She is staying in the house of a friend for the time being.

However, when Linc Kennedy gets to the home he just sold, he is nearly accosted by a woman wielding a cast iron skillet. Who is she? And Hazel wants to know who he is. That matter gets sorted out quickly. Linc is an investor who renovates homes, and this is his newest project.

Linc strikes a deal with Hazel. She can stay on in the guest house with her dogs and work as his personal chef. This is a win-win situation for Hazel, because she can temporarily live rent free and save the money she will be making working for Linc.

They each have different goals. For Hazel, one day she would like to open a rescue center for dogs and foster them until they can be adopted. She is also an excellent chef, and hopes to use that skill as well. For Linc, he is a multi-millionaire who has a great love for the renovation work he does as he flips houses.

Quite naturally, Hazel and Linc hit it off, and she loves how good and caring he is with the dogs. Having been burnt in the past by gold diggers, Linc does not plan on telling Hazel about his financial status, even though he finds himself enchanted with her.

Housebroke is a cute, steamy and heartwarming story, especially considering Hazel's intense love for dogs. Not only were Linc and Hazel wonderful characters, but the dogs each had great personalities.

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

Review: HOUSEBROKE by Jaci Burton https://bit.ly/47BGhN6
Publication Date: 12/12/2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 Stars

This was an enjoyable, light romance. The forced proximity trope was cute and blended the future story together nicely. It wasn’t insta-love between Linc and Hazel, but they were just perfect for each other, didn’t fight the attraction, thus the relationship blossomed quickly into a hot romance. Add foster dogs to the mix, and you have a fun book to get lost in. I also enjoyed the banter and interaction with Linc’s family. I wish they were around more, but glad I had a taste of their relationship. I do have to say that Hazel’s actions during the climax of the story made me groan. It was forced as an almost “I have to have some drama here” situation. It could have been something different to add to the feel of the book instead of detracting. Overall, it is a light and enjoyable story.

*Review copy provided by Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.

Kindle https://amzn.to/4aSFTwf