The Odd Couple by Lori Foster

Ford and Skye are complete opposites who try to ignore their attraction but can’t resist fate. As neighbors, they initially avoid friendship, but when Ford’s ex stirs his protective instincts, they make a pact that slowly deepens into something real. Skye, often overshadowed by her outgoing twin sister, finds confidence in Ford, who sees her true worth. Alongside their quirky rescue dogs, Maybelline and Tank, their love story unfolds with heartwarming charm. Though a short read, it delivers well-developed characters, chemistry, and an engaging romance that keeps readers hooked.

Forces of Nature by Maisey Yates

Remy, who had a tough childhood, was taken in by his best friend’s family, including Lydia, his friend’s younger sister. Lydia, a devoted animal rescuer, has secretly loved Remy for years. When she arrives at his door with his father’s neglected dog, their relationship takes a new turn. Remy struggles with feelings of unworthiness, while Lydia gathers the courage to express her true feelings. This fast-paced, uplifting romance features strong character growth and a touching love story, making it a highly recommended quick read.

The Two of Us is a duet of romances novellas that include some sweet rescue dogs who need love and are totally capable of giving love. The heroes in both stories needed love too. Written by two well-known and loved romance writers, Lori Foster and Maisey Yates, the heroes survived early lives of adversity and hardship to become successful and men of integrity.

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster has the reader meeting the humans, hearing the problems before going to the rescue facility to adopt. The cute story has a sweet large mixed most likely abused dog and a small chihuahua, hence the odd couple. They are so adorable but not without their struggles as their human counterparts also have.

Force of Nature by Maisy Yates introduces the dog almost at the same time as the characters. This story of finding a safe place, thriving, and being a blessing to others hits you right in the heart.

All romance fans and animal fans will enjoy these novellas. If like me you have a rescue pet, you will now hold a special place in your heart along your own for Maybelline, Tank, and Hank.

When I saw the availability of an advanced reader copy of The Two of Us, by two of my favorite authors, I jumped at the chance to read and review it. But I was hoping for two lengthier and more fleshed-out reads by these two excellent authors, but I found both Lori Foster's "The Odd Couple" and Maisey Yates' Force of Nature," somewhat underwhelming, which is why I can only give it 3 stars.

Both stories prominently feature a love of animals, both also feature two gorgeous men who simply aren't seeking long-term loving relationships with women, and two women deeply in love with these seemingly unattainable and oblivious men, one of whom is a 27-year-old virgin.

I think both stories would have benefitted from more depth, more drama, more character development, and greater length. If you're looking for quick, somewhat sexy and relatively uneventful reads, prominently featuring animals/pets, you may find the two stories contained in this book more enjoyable than did this reader. It simply left me wanting more.

As I stated at the outset, I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book. The opinions stated are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing as well as the authors for this ARC.
#NetGalley #KensingtonPublishing #LoriFoster #Fiction #Dogs #Rescue

Title: The Two of Us
Author: Lori Foster
Format: eBook
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Publication Date: March 25, 2025
Themes: Family, romance, friendship,relationships, pet ownership, pet rescue, human/animal bond
Trigger Warnings: Animal rescue, profanity, homosexuality, relationship trouble, difficult childhoods, animal mistreatment


What a sweet little novella! This is a very light and pleasant read. It contains two stories. The first is “The Odd Couple” by Lori Foster. Ford Caruso agrees to pretend to be the boyfriend of his sexy neighbor, Skye in order to get rid of a troublesome ex of hers. Of course, they fall in love for real and rescue two dogs together. Just as sweet as it sounds. The next story is called “Force of Nature” by Maisey Yates. I liked this one best. Lydia Clay has been in love with her brother’s best friend, Remy, for most of her life. He thinks of her as a little sister. Lydia lives to rescue pets so when a dogs shows up at her shelter, she immediately thinks of Remy. She helps Remy adjust to dog ownership and the rest should be obvious.

Both very enjoyable and feel-good stories. The Odd Couple is an enjoyable fake romance leading to a real romance story. The characters are likable but, for me, it’s the dogs that lead me here. I love how they rescue dogs together!! The dogs are quite the odd couple too so I see what the author did there. Force of Nature was a friends to lovers while rescuing a dog. I had an easier time relating to Lydia and Remi than Ford and Skye in the preceding story. The Clay family was fun to get to know and I loved Hank, the dog.

All in all, both stories were sweet and well-written. Both had relatable situations and well-established characters. Both had charming dogs that made the stories extra special. I’d recommend this book to anyone.

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster
Ford and Skye's story was so cute! I loved the rescue animals and Ford's friends. I hope Knox gets his own story.

Force of Nature by Maisey Yates
I enjoyed Remy and Lydia's sweet love story.

This is a story about Skye and Ford. Skye and Ford live next door to each other and one afternoon when Ford is hanging around the pool with his friends when Skye comes over and asks for a favor. Ford agrees to act as Skye’s fake boyfriend to help get rid of her annoying ex. In the meantime, Skye and Ford end up dating for real and even adopt two dogs together who are friends and need to stay together.

This was an okay story – although I think I would have liked some more backstory about Ford and his friends. Overall a sweet short love story.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. This is my true and honest opinion.

This was a cute book. I enjoyed both stories. I think if you enjoy animals and romance you will like this book. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

The Two of Us is two novellas with common themes.

The Odd Couple by LORI FOSTER
This is a fake relationship trope.
What are neighbors for than to help get rid of an unwanted guy who can't take a hint.
Ford Caruso begrudingly accepts helping his sexy neighbor Skye Fairchild deal with pricing she's moved on. What they find is that they have more to compromise than the expected. And that opening yourself up isn't as scary as you think. Plus bonus cuddles with the pooches.

Force of Nature by MAISEY YATES
Lydia Clays has never met an animal she didn't want to help. It's just in her makeup. So when an old dog named Hank needs a home, her first thought is Remington Lane. He of course didn't see this coming, but with the connection to his no good father he feels the need to correct the neglect. For such a hot, smart guy who became a part of her family he has a really low opinion of himself. Lydia is determined to open his eyes to not only her as a woman, but his capacity for love and commitment.

Two wonderful stories by two wonderful authors. In each story a couple finds true love while bonding over rescue dogs.

This was really beautiful. Two stories with completely different and complex characters that was fun to read. I loved the fact that they incorporated animals into both stories and that too dogs! The second story got to me very try quickly right off the bat but it took me some time connecting with the first. The writing was simple and straight to the point without any unnecessary drama. I enjoyed reading both the stories and if you’re an animal lover then I highly recommend you giving this a try.

Two love stories with adorable rescue dogs. What could be better? I truly enjoyed both of these short stories. Fast reads with good characters and the requisite happily ever after. Both authots wrote a winner.

This is a novella that includes two different stories told by two different authors. One is by Lori Foster who never disappoints me with her amazing stories. The second is by Maisey Yates who is a first-time author for me. Two well written great stories.

“The Odd Couple” by Lori Foster 5 stars: A cute story of two people who started as neighbor then moved became friends to lovers. Not to separate a pair of dogs that could not be separated, they each adopt one and then share taking care of each. Love how Ford, Skye and the dogs become a family. Enjoyed their love story.


“Force of Nature” by Maisey Yates 5 stars: Remy is Lydia’s brother’s best friend. Lydia’s has liked him he came to stay at her family’s home since they were young. Lydia is so adorable on how she loves all animals. Since she was young, she had wanted to take care of and save all animals. This is a cute story on how a dog, Hank, brings together Remy and Lydia. You can’t help but love Lydia. This was my first book by Maisy Yates, and it did not disappoint.

Two wonderful stories by two of my favorite authors. Each one involves a rescue dog that helps start a relationship. The pet integrates itself into their lives and a natural consequence is the main characters realize love in all forms is the meaning of life. Jill Shalvis and Maisey Yates captured this perfectly!

Although I received a free ARC ebook from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions ate myown .

What a wonderful pair of stories, I've not read Maisey before so that's a great into for a new to me author.

The Odd Couple * LORI FOSTER
Rescue dogs that will bring neighbours together. Ford and Skye live next door to each other and she needs a fake boyfriend to keep away her ex. She decides she needs a dog and he's in love with a huge mutt at the shelter. The plan to fence their yards joined as them getting closer to each other. This was a beautiful love story of a couple who were destined for each other.

Force of Nature * MAISEY YATES
Lydia not only works in a shelter but has been rescuing critters all her life. Remington was taken in as a teen by her family. He has 'not good enough' issues but despite having dead beat parents he is a successful rancher. Lydia has loved him all her life, he just needs to see what's in front of him. A dog that needs a wonderful home could be what brings them together.
This was a heartwarming story and I've enjoyed this book with both stories so much.

"The Two of Us" by Lori Foster and Maisey Yates was a wonderful collection. I highly recommend it to all fans of romance, animal rescue, family, friends, and humor.

Collect includes:
"The Odd Couple" by Lori Foster was a fantastic read. I loved Ford and Skye's story. This story had romance, humor, friends, family, animals, and more. I hope we get more about the characters in this story in the future.

"Force of Nature" by Maisey Yates was a great read. I enjoyed Remy and Lydia's story. This story had romance, passion, friends to lovers, small town life, animal rescue, family, friends, and more. This was the first time I've read this author's work and it won't be the last.

Two delightful tales of love and animals. The stories are completely different, but both are heartwarming. I skipped the intimate details in the second novella. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Two sweet novellas from beloved romance writers. Both of these stories feature animals -gotta love a rescue pup that brings people together. The humans characters are nice too! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good beach book.

I got the ARC of book from one of the authors . Both books are centered around pets and friends to lovers trope
As usual I loved Lori Foster’s Novella, I have been looking forward to Ford’s story and it didn’t disappoint. Ford’s relationship with his friend’s helped connect with characters from previous books . The forced proximity of pretending to be in a relationship with Skye made for fun situation

. I absolutely love Lori Foster. Ford and Skye are a sweet couple but was sure hoping for more of their relationship before the story ended. However, you sure can’t help but show favoritism towards Maybelline and Tank. They are adorable.

Maisey Yates story was a quick story about showing love to those who need it most and showing others the true meaning of family and support.

This book brings cute novella-ish sized stories from Lori Foster and Maisey Yates. With pets, family, and relatoinships as the main theme in both books, the stories are different, but they have the same sweet story style. There is heat, so this isn't a sweet romance! Semi-open door scenes that are appropriate for the book.

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster stars Ford and Skye as neighbors becoming interested in each other. Add in Ford's love for a HUGE dog, and Skye wanting a little one. As the story unfolds, both pups are adopted with Ford and Skye finding each other. With old boyfriends issues, twin sister problems, and lots of work vs. pets, it takes Skye's sister to come up with a workable solution.

Force of Nature by Maisey Yates is the story of Remington and Lydia. Remy was unofficially 'taken in' by his best friend's parents. Matthew kind of brought Remy home and he never left. Lydia is Matthew's sister and now that she's grown up, Remy is trying to not notice. Lydia brings Hank, Remy's recently deceased father's dog, to Remy, he feels like he understands how the poor creature feels. Hank is not in good shape due to Remy's fathers lack of care and Remy gets talked into helping! Lydia is a natural nurturer and Remy is a curmudgeon. When Lydia asks Remy for a special favor, they realize they need each other.

A really nice duet book.