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

A fun, contemporary romance, would be perfect for a summer beach read. Hazel is out on her luck, without much money or resources, house sitting for a friend with her foster dogs. Unbeknownst to her the house is sold to property flipper Linc Kennedy.
Not sure who's more surprised when Linc shows up to what should be an empty house to almost get beaned on his head by a saucepan. Desperate Hazel manages to sell Linc on the idea that she would cook for him as he does the remodel on the house to get it ready to sell in exchange for a place to stay with her dogs.
Before long both she and the dogs are burrowing their way into Linc's hard heart. Since Linc hasn't been totally upfront and open with Hazel there are bound to be some fireworks when the truth is out just when things seem to be going well between them.
I've been traveling and this book just hit the right lighthearted romantic note.

Housebroke nails the forced proximity trope, especially for readers who have a soft spot for dogs. (Quick heads up, if you're not into pets in your romance, this might not be your cup of tea.)

The overall vibe here is light and breezy, which I totally dug. Even with the protagonists dealing with their own stuff, the story doesn't drown you in angst. It's more of a rom-com rollercoaster than an emotional whirlwind. Now, I've got a tiny bone to pick – the "dark moment" and the ending felt a bit rushed and forced, hence the not-so-high rating from me.

But hey, let's not throw the pup out with the bathwater. It's still a fun read, destined to find its crowd. 🏠🐾💑

✔️ (Secret) Millionaire
✔️ And they were roommates

The setup was the most charming part about this book. I liked the idea of Hazel being such a dog lover that she fosters so many of them and that living in a being-renovated gigantic house with a pool made sense. I also liked Nick though that is also part of the problem - he felt a little flat to me. There wasn't a meaningful emotional journey for me.

This is a great book for a low-angst read. You will enjoy it more if you are an animal lover. For me, it was pretty average.

Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕

Housebroke would make the perfect Hallmark channel movie (minus the spice, obvi). I was super excited to pick this one up when I read the premise. Hazel is down on her luck following a divorce and crashing at her friend's house with all five of her foster dogs. When Linc. the new owner of the house, shows up unexpectedly they come up with the perfect temporary living arrangement - Hazel will live in as Linc's professional chef while he updates and flips the house.

There were things I definitely enjoyed about Housebroke, but ultimately I just found myself bored throughout most of the second half. I didn't feel invested in the relationship between Hazel and Linc, and I didn't feel like their connection was anything other than physical. I did love the scenes involving Hazel's foster dogs and how each one of them had their own personalities. Hazel was a great FMC and she was easy to root for, but I could take or leave Linc.

This is my first book by this author, but I would definitely give her another shot in the future. 3.5 stars

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a review copy.

This book was not for me, unfortunately. While I liked the premise, particularly the foster dog situation, the stakes were too low for the plot to be compelling. The story was too slow for me. I also really liked the idea of money differences being the source of conflict in the relationship, since that is so authentic to real life, but it just didn’t click here. The spice level was high but at the same time it didn’t feel like there was a lot of romantic tension.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hazel is broke, homeless, and living in her friends’ empty house with her collection of foster dogs. But when the owners forget to tell her they sold the house and the very attractive new owner shows up, they make an arrangement. Hazel will be Linc’s personal chef as he remodels the house, and in exchange, she can continue to live there.

I am a sucker for a romance with dogs on the cover and I was SO excited for this book. Unfortunately, the dogs were really the best part of the story, and the romance itself fell very flat. Where the dogs were full of personality, the main characters did not have the personality or the chemistry I hope for in a story. This book was not for me.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Book Summary:

Hazel Bristow's life has had its fair share of ups and downs. For example, recently, her (new) ex took all their money and walked out of her life, leaving her and her foster dogs stranded. The good news is that Hazel's friends are there for her. One even offers to let her (and the dogs) stay in her unoccupied house.

It's perfect. Or it was. Until her friend accidentally (on purpose?) forgot to tell Hazel about the house finally selling. Now, it's a bit more crowded than Hazel had been expecting, and we're not talking about all the dogs.

My Review:

A book full of romance and puppies? Where do I sign up?! But really, Housebroke is a cute and endearing romance novel perfect for any animal lover. I'm happy I had the chance to read it – and I'm even happier to report that it helped get me out of my burnout.

As far as I'm concerned, the best (light) romance novels start after a series of strange coincidences – a funny meet-cute, as it were. So I knew right away I was going to enjoy Housebroke. Okay...the dogs also helped sell this one! I'm not ashamed to admit that.

By far, the book's best part must be the characters and their personalities. We have our two leading lovers (Hazel and Linc), but there are also the dogs. I know I've already mentioned them, but they're not stagnant background details – they each have their own personality, and I adored them.

Housebroke is the perfect read, especially for this dreary time of year. So go enjoy yourself!

Highlights:
Contemporary Romance
Dogs!

Thanks to Berkley and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a cute sweet and sexy book. I loved the slow burn and connection that Hazel and Linc had. It was cute how the dogs grew on Linc and eventually wormed their way into his heart along with Hazel. There was the spice you can always expect from Jaci weaved into a love story for any romantic at heart.

This a sweet and steamy romance with low angst. Hazel dreams of running a foster program some day but at the moment she is crashing at a friend’s house while it is on the market. Lind flips houses and has been burned too many times by women who just want his money. Due to a miscommunication, there is an adorable meet cute. Linc hires Hazel,to cook for him and stay in the house with her 5 foster dogs. I really enjoyed the gentleness of this story. Hazel and Linc are really nice people and I appreciated how they built a friendship that turned into more. If you need a feel good story with some sex scenes than this for you.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Housebroke by Jaci Burton is a lovely rom-com about dogs. The story revolves around Hazel, who is staying at a friend's place after a nasty break-up. She unexpectedly runs into Linc, who pretends to be an investor in houses. However, Linc isn't really an investor. He's actually a millionaire and the owner of the house! Will Hazel fall in love and trust Linc even though he hasn't told her the truth about who he really is?

Here is a comedic excerpt from Chapter 1:

"Hazel Bristow lined up all her babies, preparing them for their early-evening walk. Today she waited until almost dark because even though it was late summer in Orlando, it was still muggy, and just chasing after these hellions all day inside was a sweat-inducing activity, let alone taking them on a long walk.
Of course as soon as she dragged the harnesses and leashes out, there were excited tail wags and butt wiggles. Even from Gordon the pug, who at twelve years old couldn’t make it more than two blocks but gave it his best effort. Which was why she always brought the stroller along.
She got all five dogs hooked up and prepped the stroller, and they were out the door, Lilith the Chihuahua leading the way, even though she was the smallest of the pack."

Overall, Housebroke is a rom-com that will appeal to dog-lovers everywhere. One highlight of this book are the dogs. If you are a dog-lover or pet-lover, then this book would be perfect for you. Another highlight of this book is the dual 3rd person POV, which I definitely prefer over dual 1st person POV. I did take off 1 star because there's not much of a plot or tension regarding Linc keeping his identity secret. I wish that had been more of a plot point. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of romantic comedies in general, I recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!

An entertaining mix that is much better than the book I finished before this one......Jaci Burton gives these characters a real feel that I find missing in too many romance books. This young woman is not looking for romance. She's been burned and now must figure out how to take care of her responsibilities. So she accepts a friend's invitation to stay at his home as he tries to sell it. But too soon, she'll get a huge surprise when the house is sold and the new owner shows up. The new owner is really surprised when he finds Hazel and her pack of foster dogs living in his home. The two make some concessions and an agreement and as they say....the rest is history. Amusing and entertaining are good adjectives for this "sigh" worthy romance.

This was just the right book for me to read at this moment. A light romance filled with DOGS!!! There are 6 of them altogether, which made my dog lovin' heart happy.

I really liked Hazel and Linc's characters. They were down to earth but still flawed. Hazel is getting over a disastrous marriage, and Linc is trying to move past women who only see him for his money. The chemistry between these two is HOT!

I read this just to enjoy the story and a little light reading. I sped through this book and didn't want the story to end. I don't know if this is a series, but I think Linc's brother, Eugene, needs a book. I just feel like there is more to him than meets the eye. I think it would be cool is there was also a book about his other brother, Warren, and how he meets his husband and their relationship.

I also liked Linc's mother. She is very down to earth and can see what her boys don't see. But isn't that a mother's job? Hazel's mom and sister are a bit of a handful, and while initially, I was very disappointed in their treatment of Hazel (they treated her as if she was ten and not a grown woman), I know they cared about her. However, things turn around when Natalie (the sister) has her own issues that need to be resolved.

If you are in the mood for a light, fun romance filled with adorable dogs, read this book!

Housebroke was a pleasant story. It was interesting to see how Hazel and Linc connected. They went from strangers to acquaintances to friends to lovers. It was a slow build but it was what the characters needed. They seemed to complement each other and the time they spent together was sweet. I liked the more we got with the dogs. They brought that extra oomph needed in the story. The storyline was cute but I just wished for more. Overall an alright read.

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley and the Berkley Besties program, all opinions are my own.

This follows down on her luck Hazel, who is trying to put the pieces of her life back together after a divorce that left her homeless and broke. Her friends are letting her stay in their house while it sits on the market until she can find a suitable place for herself and her five foster dogs. Enter Lincoln aka Linc, the man who has purchased said house. Linc buys and renovates homes, so imagine his surprise when he finds a woman and 5 dogs occupying his latest project. Quickly realizing that he can't throw her and her pack out on the street, he offers her a place to stay. Hazel is no slouch and offers to be Linc's personal chef in exchange for a small salary and a room in the guest house until she can find a suitable place to stay. She and the pups quickly get to know Linc and they get along great. Linc is quickly enamored with Hazel, her cooking, and her dogs. They have alot in common and they both have a hard time trusting others after being burned by past relationships.

This was really cute. I loved the dogs and the love Hazel had for them. My dog is a member of our family and acts like he's king of the castle. Linc and Hazel take their time getting to know each other before romantic feelings come into play which I really appreciated. The way they meet and some of their interactions are a bit unrealistic and you have to suspend your belief about their relationship at times, but it is a rom-com so I'm willing to do that a little. Some of their conversations feel a little bit forced and repetitive, but overall they were a cute couple and eventually worked things out.

Overall, this is a cute rom-com with two unlikely people bonding over their love of good food and great dogs.

An escape into a fun-to-read rom-com is just what I needed during the busy holiday season to take me away to a world of laughter, love and entertainment. Hazel fosters dogs and is basically homeless, living in the home of a friend while she tries to get money together to pay for her own place. Enter Linc, a swoonworthy hero, who has purchased the house she is living in and agrees to let her continue to stay there while he remodels it as long as she will cook for him. What a setup for some humorous scenes since Hazel is a quirky character who has no idea that Linc is a millionaire. I loved the dogs who each have their own personality and become characters in their own right. I also enjoyed the interactions between Hazel and Linc, neither of whom knew enough about the other but both were willing to learn. This is a story filled with heart and humor that is perfect for fans of rom-coms with dogs and a lot of original twists to a clever plot. The pace is just fast enough to keep me engaged and the characters are relatable and lovable.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Quick Synopsis:
Housebroke had everything I love melded into one romance. It showcased foster pups, house renovation, inspired cooking, and a found family trope that was immediately endearing.

The quick synopsis is that the MC, Hazel, leaves her emotionally abusive ex and finds herself between homes. Hazel’s friends allow her to stay in the empty million-dollar home they’re selling and forget to inform her after they sell it to a house flipper. Luckily for Hazel, the new owner, Linc, allows her to stay in the guest house. A love connection sparks between the two as he renovates the house and she works as his personal chef.

Characters:
Ultimately, Hazel’s and Linc’s relationships with the foster dogs stole the show for me. The dogs read like an escape for me, and I adored how that backstory was woven into the plot.

Storyline/Pacing:
Housebroke is a fast-paced romance. It was predictable, as most romances are; however, the way Hazel and Linc’s romance came together felt new.

Author:
I appreciated how Jaci Burton depicted Hazel as a woman intent on becoming independent. She did a great job showing how that independence is not always inherent.

Overall:
I’m so glad I picked this one up from Jaci Burton, and I’ll be looking for more from her.
Highly recommend if you are:
-a dog-lover
-into HGTV or the Food Network
-into quick, cute romances
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars

Disclosure:
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing for the Digital Review Copy of Housebroke. All opinions are my own.

What a fun rom com. Hazel is living in the house that Linc just purchased to flip. Throw in a house full of dogs, a meet cute, kinda forced proximity and a misrepresented identity and you have this cute romance summed up.

I loved all of the dogs in this one, especially Penny. And I really liked the humans as well. The chemistry for the two jumped off of the page and it was so evident how smitten Linc was. In addition to the sweetness, there are some steamy scenes too.

While the premise might not be the most realistic setup, I was won over by the dogs and me rooting for Hazel and Linc to admit their feelings.

In this romantic comedy, dog-saver Hazel Bristow is forced to stay with house-flipper Linc Kennedy after he purchases the house she is staying in with her multiple foster dogs. Hazel has had some bad luck of things and she's very lucky to have friends and acquaintances who agree to help her, one of those acquaintances being Linc.

Both of these characters have many reasons to not trust each other or anyone, so they have to learn to do that after being roommates. There's some insta-attraction that starts out with a friends-with-benefits arrangement that grows feelings over time. There's no new ground here, just a pleasant forced proximity acquaintances-to-lovers setup.

There's plenty of steam between Linc and Hazel and the dogs are just terrific, especially if you are a dog loving reader! I did want more from the ending, but overall, this was a pleasant romantic comedy that was an easy-read for me.

Housebroke by Jaci Burton is adorably sweet & spicy romance that is pawsitively awesome for animal lovers, specifically dog lovers.

As a dog lover, this was a delight to read & as someone that has rescue dogs, this was so relatable & made my heart overflow with the feels from all the dogs. The main character, Hazel, fosters dogs & she has 5 dogs for most of the book. I enjoyed getting to know them & their antics.

Housebroke is great for fans of…
🐶 Opposites Attract
🐶 Dog Lovers
🐶 Forced Proximity

I appreciate an easy, low angst romance & I think this delivered on that. They have some struggles, but this is enjoyable to get lost into this. It reminds me of a Hallmark story but add in spice. The scenario is a bit outrageous where it felt a bit like a movie to me. But if you are in the mood for low angst & low stress, this is a cute read!

If you are looking for a delightfully cute romance that is easy to get lost in, Housebroke is a great recommendation for you!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.