The ASPCA and animal rescue centers have a special place in my heart as I've volunteered with organizations around the world to find animals a forever home. Susan Wiggs' #TheTwelveDogsofChristmas reminded me that the true gift of Christmas is helping others.

We all get wrapped up the bustling and hustling of the holidays. Stripping back the season to its core, family, friends, loved ones and those who believe in some type of religion is what makes it special. Years later you're going to remember the time you spent together rather than a gift's price. There's a reason kids play with empty boxes as they are ready to use their imagination.

What Brenda can't imagine is getting past losing her dad and marriage at Christmas. Every time she opens herself up herself to possibilities, her dreams are dashed. When she's recruited for a Christmas caper, that's the last thing she wants to do this season. Forced to be jolly during the merry-making celebrations is at first excruciating but the town and its residents worm their way into her heart. Will she take a chance at Christmas or will Brenda be to afraid the sleigh her demons?

Thank you to to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition in exchange for an honest review. I was touched by the holiday story that's filled with heart. Rescuing animals, second chance at happiness and overcoming obstacles was a feel-good read even with the unseasonably warm temperatures this week. Susan Wiggs fans will fall in love with her heart-warming novel.

Susan Wiggs has written a sweet, fun Christmas story of love, compassion, and healing with 12 loveable dogs who will capture your heart and renew your Christmas spirit. There is a little romance, fun, and learning to enjoy the Christmas season again. Recommend it!

Grab the hot chocolate! If you love dogs and Christmas this is the story for you. Dogs are on a caravan to homes in the north. Brenda works behind the scenes ant matches them up - from Texas, she hates the cold. Due to misshapes she is on the van north. The thread of hope and facing your life head on is subtle and finding homes for the homeless dogs, heart moving. I know a group in real life that send dogs North to homes. A Christmas take to warm your hearts and treat your soul. Thank you for the arc. I feely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #TheTwelveDogsofChristmas #SusanWiggs #WilliamMorrow #NetGalley

Brenda Malloy has hated Christmas ever since she was a young girl. It seems like bad things always happen at Christmas. Take this past year for example - Brenda and her husband had to rush their dog Tim to the emergency vet on Christmas Eve for an obstruction. When the vet showed them what it was that Tim had eaten, it was a pair of women's underwear, and they were not Brenda's. Needless to say, Brenda divorced the husband and took the dog. Now, she is much happier, training for a marathon, working on writing a children's novel, and working as a volunteer at a dog rescue organization in Houston. Brenda is put in charge of arranging the transport of rescued dogs from Houston to Avalon—just in time for a merry Christmas with their forever families. Because the regular driver is unable to go this year, Brenda is recruited to help drive the van two thousand miles with twelve dogs in crates, Should be no problem, but a blinding snowstorm, an escaped mutt, and a life-saving encounter with Adam Bellamy—a single dad and paramedic—means Brenda has to stay in Avalon longer than she planned. As she drops off each precious pup at their new home, some of the comfort and joy of the season begins to creep up on Brenda despite her determination to avoid the holidays.

This is a fun, quick read that will make a great addition to your stack of Christmas books. There are dogs, plenty of romance, and an abundance of Christmas cheer to be had - enough to give you the warm fuzzies. I enjoyed seeing Brenda's views on Christmas slowly thaw right along with her heart as she fell for Adam. I especially loved all of the forever home stories with the rescue dogs. If you are looking for a book to put you in the Christmas spirit, then you should check this one out!

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs has a nice blend of humor and seriousness. In the middle of dog chaos, a woman learns how to let go of her painful past and embrace a wonderful future.

Brenda hates Christmas and cold weather. It is when she discovered that her husband is a cheater. She has worked hard over the last year at moving on. She is heavily involved in placing rescued dogs with new families. She also writes children's books, but is yet to be published. Due to unforeseen circumstances she is needed to help drive 11 dogs from Houston to Avalon, NY. Of course she is dragged along kicking and screaming, but cares about these dogs. While there she meets Adam, one of the adoptees. A comedy of situations causes her to stay longer than she expects and gives Adam time to convince that something is happening between them. Will she find a second chance and be able to start over in a place she wants to hate? A great story with plenty of laughs and cute furry friends.

Brenda Malloy doesn’t like Christmas. There was the incident when she was a child that left her devastated and heartbroken, then another involving her husband, their dog, and a pair of panties that weren’t hers. She’s also not fond of cold weather and snow, yet she agrees to go on a trip from Houston, TX, to Avalon, NY, to deliver rescue dogs to their new forever homes. She’s hoping the trip will be quick and she’ll be back in Houston in no time. She’ll be accompanying Dolly Prentice, an employee of the dog rescue organization.

Things don’t go as planned and she and Dolly are involved in an accident where she meets Adam Bellamy, has a rescue dog escape, and more. She’ll be staying with Adam’s mother until she’s able to get back on the road and the more time they spend together, the more she and Adam start to like each other. But Brenda knows nothing can happen because Adam is devoted to his family and his job in the small northern town and Brenda is all about returning to Houston. Is there anything that could cause Brenda to have a change of heart?

This is a delightful, heartwarming story about second chances, new beginnings, and more!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A charming and delightful story revolving around Christmas. The twelve dogs are the heart of the tale. A sweet romance. A nice variety of characters and interesting situations. While I don't celebrate Christmas it still was a pleasant book to enjoy. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Sometimes life doesn't go according to your plan, but it seems to bring you to where you need to be. Brenda and Dolly were bringing rescue dogs North to Avalon, New York, when they had an accident. It is Christmastime, and Brenda doesn't like Christmas, It seems at every turn she is involved in an aspect of Christmas. She isn't a fan of snow either, but she is going to have to stay there until the van is fixed.
Adam, the EMT who arrived at the accident, took Brenda to his mother's house. The next day, Brenda was supposed to deliver the 11 dogs to their forever home. Adam had taken the dogs to the vets, who kept them all at his clinic for the night. The next day, Adam and Brenda went to the vets and were going to deliver the dogs, a few at a time. When they stopped to check to see how Dolly was doing, she told them that the first stop was to the school, because the teacher had adopted two dogs and would bring them every day to school. She had told the kids a special visitor was coming. Dolly's brother was going to be Santa and Brenda would have to be the elf. Dolly's brother told Adam he would pay him a thousand dollars to be the Santa, and Adam said he would do it if he donated it to the rescue dog organization. It did make me laugh, and the next stop was at the senior citizen's so Adam convinced her to keep the costumes on.
Reading the adventure of delivering the dogs, it was a reminder that life decides what is going to happen, and this adventure was a fun ride to be on.
Susan Wiggs book never disappoints, and this one was another wonderful book. I received an ARC from William Morrow through NetGalley.

"Dogs, Christmas, and a bit of romance are woven in this compassionate holiday tale. Loved the small-town setting with the holiday flair. A great location for Brenda to get over her “hatred” of Christmas and find love again (“He’s like Christmas back when I used to believe in Christmas”). Adams is the perfect match for her and he does not give up on her. Dolly is a bonus delight and her enthusiasm for Christmas leaps off the pages. The many dogs spread joy throughout their adoptions. A wonderful Christmas read!

This is a cute story, lots of adorable dogs, some humor and a romance. A fun, sweet story that will put you in the mood for Christmas. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

BOOK REVIEW:

Title: The Twelve Dogs of Christmas
Author: @Susan Wiggs
Pub Date: October 17th 2023.
Publisher: @WilliamMorrowBooks
Description: Brenda Malloy wants nothing to do with Christmas ever again. Last year, Brenda and her husband rushed their beloved dog Tim to the emergency vet on Christmas eve. The good news: Tim survived after the vet cleared the obstruction--a pair of women’s lace undies. The bad news: the undies were not Brenda’s.

A year after the breakup, Brenda has put her life back together. She’s trained for a marathon, is writing a children’s novel, and she’s found purpose and healing as a volunteer with a dog rescue organization in Houston, Texas. The rescue partners with a program in Avalon, New York--a small, snowy town deep in the Catskills. Now Brenda is arranging the transport of rescued dogs from Houston to Avalon—just in time for a merry Christmas with their forever families. Brenda’s friends worry about her driving a van two thousand miles with twelve dogs in crates, but she shrugs off their concern. How hard can it be? She knows the way, and she’s just looking to escape the Christmas overload for a while.

But a blinding snowstorm, an escaped mutt, and a life-saving encounter with Adam Bellamy—a single dad and paramedic—means Brenda has to stay in Avalon longer than she planned. As she drops off each precious pup at their new homes, some of the comfort and joy of the season begins to creep up on Brenda despite her determination to avoid the holidays. Perhaps you can bring Christmas into your heart after all...if you have the right furry friends to guide the way.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book it was such a cute and great holiday read Susan Wiggs writes beautiful stories that capture the heart!!!

Brenda's previous Christmas in Houston, Texas, could not have been any worse. Her dog, Tim, spent Christmas at the vet's office, having emergency surgery after having eaten a pair of undies not belonging to Brenda. Divorce ensues. She works for a dog rescue organization and as part of their job, they place and deliver dogs all over the country. A Christmas road trip to Avalon, New York, with a dozen dogs to transport. Her partner is driving - what's to worry about? The trip goes well, until just outside of Avalon, they hit ice in a blinding snowstorm and a wreck occurs. Adam Bellamy, paramedic, works the accident. Partner to the hospital with multiple injuries, dogs transported to the local vet's office. All are taken care of but what about Brenda? Adam takes her home to his mom's house to stay until everything get sorted.

Adam who knows the area, agrees to help Brenda deliver dogs for Christmas. His son is one of the recipients. Avalon, New York goes all out to celebrate Christmas and is a scenic attraction during the holidays. Brenda hates Christmas and all the trappings. Can Adam convince her otherwise? Will Brenda's Christmas be a merry celebration? A lovely dog story, a romance and Christmas celebrated in style.

Absolutely delightful Christmas story.
As a dog lover I was immediately hooked by the rescue organization and the people who devote themselves to this.
The love between Adam and Brenda was so beautiful it made .me smile.
I recommend it as a Christmas read but also an anytime joyful experience

This is a fun, touching Christmas story. There’s emotion, angst, smiles, romance, and plenty of dogs. It’s an easy read to get one into the mood for Christmas.

This is a nice Christmas romance with the added benefit of dogs. Brenda had a really bad Christmas last year so she is okay with volunteering to take a van load of dogs from Texas to the Catskills in late December. She wants to help get them to their forever homes n time for Christmas. A blizzard intervenes and Brenda is forced to spend the pre-holidays immersed in small town Christmas spirit along with a cute single dad.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eGalley of this title.

This is a perfect Christmas story: warm, sweet, and romantic. A bonus for me was that I love Susan Wiggs’ Lakeshore Chronicles series. I’ve read and loved them all. In this story, you meet Brenda Malloy. She ends up in Avalon where the series takes place. I got to visit many old friends from past books as well as Avalon itself. It is a magical place and the perfect setting for a Christmas story!

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs
A heartwarming Christmas story with a sweet love story. Brenda and Adam are both divorced - he has an adorable four-year-old son and an ex he shares custody with. Brenda has an ex who she found out was cheating on Christmas when the vet saved her dog Tim by clearing the obstruction - a pair of women’s lace undies. A year later she helps her friend transport 11 dogs to their new owners in Avalon, New York--a small, snowy town deep in the Catskills. There is angst, laughter, tears, lots of feels, dogs meeting their new owners, attraction and finding love again all to get us to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Funny Page-turner Inspirational Happily Ever After Informative Great world building Action-packed Entertaining Easy-to-read Wonderful characters Romantic Tear-jerker.

Brenda is a supporter of Underdogs. That organization rescues dogs in Houston and transports them north when permanent homes are found. This Christmas season, Brenda and her good friend, Dolly, will drive from Houston to Avalon, New York with 11 dogs who are going to new homes. The twelfth dog is Tim, Brenda’s very precious best friend.

Brenda does not like Christmas. Not at all, if she had her way she would never have to be exposed to the holiday. It all stems from a trauma in her childhood. And then there is also a more recent Christmas Eve, Brenda and her husband took Tim to the vet to have an obstruction removed from his system. The obstruction was a red thong that did not belong to Brenda.

When the transport van has a serious accident Dolly must have surgery and will be out of commission for a long time. Brenda will be on her own delivering all the dogs to their forever homes. It will be an adventure for every one.

The first person Brenda meets in Avalon is Adam. He is the paramedic who helps her after the crash. He helps her get the dogs out of the damaged van. When a greyhound runs off into the dark, Adam is the one who helps her search until the dog is found.

Adam is a divorced father of a wonderful little boy, Will. He is also one of the people who will receive one of the 11 dogs. He is adopting Olaf. Olaf is a high energy dog who will need a firm hand. Olaf also needs a little boy who has the energy to run with him.

This book has charm and a sense of joy. All during the book, Brenda is anti Christmas and everything that goes with it. At times it was too much overkill for me. No matter what, there is a strong sense of the season and the enjoyment that everyone in Avalon shares. Christmas is a big deal in this small town.

Avalon is populated by very nice people who are invested in the adoption of rescued dogs. As time goes on, Brenda meets a number of citizens who are welcoming to her. It appears that everyone wants the dog program to be a success and to convince Brenda to enjoy the celebration of Christmas.

I really enjoyed this book. Ms Wiggs has created a story with warmth and humor and a great deal of love. Her characters are very complete human beings. Will is a normal little boy who can[t get enough of fun, just like any real little boy. He is one of the highlights of the story.

Things move along at a good pace. And there is a happily ever after. The journey to the HEA is a fun one.

I enjoyed this book. I received the book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hope that I would write a fair and honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

I enjoyed this Christmas story full of dogs and a love that overcomes bad memories. Brenda's love for dogs has her delivering rescues in time for Christmas and an accident right outside their destination has her meeting Adam. It was fun watching these two come together, wary but interested. The dogs added a lot of fun moments and I appreciated the great care taken with them. I was a bit put off at the beginning by the emphasis on
Brenda's physical appearance, but it wasn't mentioned again so I put it aside and was satisfied through to the happy ending.