Romance and rescued dogs…what could be better? This book contains 2 stories. Both authors do a great job of combining a love of animals and a building romance into a great, sweet, and sometimes spicy, story. I enjoyed reading them both! Fans of romance will be happy with these!!!

Two absolutely adorable romances revolving around rescue dogs!

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster is about Ford and Skye who live next door to each other. Ford is asked to help Skye out when an ex wants more than Skye wants to give won't go away. There's some chemistry and feelings between them that starts to grow deeper as time goes on. I loved the interactions between the two, especially when they were dealing with the dogs they adopted together. Loved Maybelline, I almost wanted to go save her myself!

Force of Nature by Maisey Yates is about Lydia, who is always rescuing animals, and Remy, who needed rescuing when he was young. Wonderful interactions between Remy and the Clay family who took him in at 16 and showed him what a real family is like. Remy needs to figure out and realize that even though he had a rough childhood, he is still capable of loving and being loved.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

The Odd Couple
By Lori Foster
5☆
What a cute story. I loved how Ford and Skye's relationship started off as just neighbors to friends to lovers. And when they adopted their dogs? The cuteness overload hit. Ford and Skye were both so lovable as were their dogs. Really loved their love story.

Force of Nature
By Maisey Yates
5☆
Cute story. Remi and Lydia were so fun to read. Lydia has had a crush on Remi, her older brother's best friend, since she was a teenager. Can she finally get him to see her as me than his friend's pesky younger sister? I loved this trope but add in some cute critters and it turned out to be a fun as well as sweet and sexy.

The Odd Couple: Skye Fairchild and Ford Caruso are neighbors; but really don't interact with each other. When Skye comes over and ask Ford and his friends for someone to pose as a boyfriend it starts a relationship for them.
Force of Nature: Lydia Clay is a animal rescuer; when she rescues Hank, she takes him to her brother's best friend. Remington Lane is one hot cowboy. He doesn't want the dog that belonged to his late father, but Lydia is hard to say no to.

When neighbor Ford Carisa agrees to play the part of boyfriend for Skye Fairchild it is only to help her get rid of an ex who won’t leave her alone. When they adopt dogs who are totally attached to each other they spend more and more time together and their attraction grows. Cute romance and the dogs were such an added touch to the story. Love it!!


Thanks Lori for the early read!

Two sweet romances featuring lovable characters both human and animal.

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster

In the first story we get Skye and Ford. Ford is a handsome pharmaceutical rep with some close friends. He’s noticed his gorgeous next door neighbor, but she has made it clear she likes her space. That is until one day she comes over unexpectedly asking for help pretending to be her boyfriend to help get rid of an overbearing ex. Ford doesn’t want to play along at first, but after some convincing from his friends he agrees. As Ford and Skye pretend to date, they both realize how lonely they are and how little they have let anyone in. This was a heartwarming love story featuring some adorable animals that help bring them together. Another winner from Lori Foster.


Force of Nature by Maisey Yates

Remy is a tech genius and rancher intent on trying to outrun his parents past deeds. Lydia is an animal loving sweet woman who takes care of all kinds of misfits. Lydia goes to Remy hoping he’ll take in his father’s dog after he passes, but Remy wants to refuse. Remy has lived his whole life trying to avoid letting anyone down, and wants to continue that. But Lydia makes saying no impossible so Remy reluctantly agrees to take on the dog. As Lydia helps Remy learn how to take care of his new dog they get closer. But both have hang ups from their past that will make it difficult for them to accept love. A second heartwarming story featuring some interesting animals.

The Two Of Us Anthology consists of two stories, each stands on its own, although they both involve rescue animals. They are The Odd Couple by Lori Foster and Force of Nature by Maisey Yates. Do note that the characters in Ms Foster's story are tied to two of her series.

The Odd Couple
The Love Undercover Series - Book 6
The Ultimate Series – Book 6
By Lori Foster
Kensington Books - March 2025
Contemporary Romance

Ford Caruso had gotten the message from his neighbor Skye Fairchild. Although he was attracted to her, and would be interested in something more, Skye was only interested in being cautionary neighbors. Not close, but vaguely friendly. That was fine, her choice, and he was willing to abide by her choices.

So he was caught quite off-guard when some friends were over and she asked if any of them were single. He was intrigued enough by her unexpected question to want to help, but when he learned it was to deter an unwanted persistent former male friend, Ford, and even his married friends, were willing to help. But only Ford was needed for the brief exchange. Then next thing they knew, he was helping her look at dogs at the shelter.

Suddenly they were becoming friends and sharing more of their lives, family and friends. And in the chaos that was their lives, they begin to see how great a future together could be.

The Odd Couple is a fun romance with two headstrong individuals. It was fun watching them at the shelter and the decision that they made together. Skye is a strong independent heroine whose heart is wide open for her sister Laylee, friends and animals. I loved to see the relationship between those two and how they supported one another. Ford was a strong dependable hero able to step in, or back, as necessary. It was fun watching them navigate their lives and finding their happily ever after. This story is linked to the other series through friendships and mentions of previous events, but does stand on its own.

Force of Nature
By Maisey Yates
Kensington Books - March 2025
Contemporary Romance

Remington Lane lived his life how he wanted. It was just him, and his ranch. He wanted to live a better life than his parents, but to be honest, that wasn’t difficult. He didn't need anyone, but was willing to do about anything for the Clay family. He had been best friends with the son, so had spent time there. Then later, it had become home. They had become the family he had needed when his own was a disaster.

Lydia Clay had been the typical annoying younger sister, although she had been soft hearted, always absorbed with rescuing animals. Even now, Lydia had shown up at his ranch, with a neglected dog that she wanted him to take in. She couldn't do it, the large menagerie of animals she called pets wasn't interested in an addition to the household. He didn't want to either, but he couldn't say no to helping the dog his father had mistreated.

So he had begrudgingly agreed. Then he agreed to more. And then he realized that perhaps it was more than appreciation of the Clay family that made him want to say yes to Lydia.

Force of Nature is a romance of healing. In trying to separate himself from his parents, Remy had essentially cut himself off from life. Lydia was a definite force of nature, and she needed to be to shake things up for him. There is quite a bit of baggage Remy needs to deal with, but luckily he has a strong family, by choice, to help him.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

The Two of Us
Lori Foster
Maisey Yates
March 25, 2025

This lovely book presents two novellas that feature lonely people who become attached to animals that need help and looking after. The first features Ford who is a medical salesman. He lives in a nice home and frequently has his friends over. Next door a beautiful woman moves in. She works, comes home and does not visit although she often waters flowers outside and gives the group a look or two. She finds herself in need of help so she walks next door to ask for help,as they were all outback building a deck for his pool.
In the second tale we find Remington Lane who was born and raised in a home where his parents ignore him most of the time and rarely provide for his needs. He becomes friends with a school buddy, Matthew. He spends a lot of time in his home. Matthew´s parents invite him to live in their home when Remy is sixteen. Life is better, he gets good grades and is a pleasant, hard working guy. Lydia Clay is Matthew´s younger sister. She has spent her young life rescuing animals and has always felt attracted to Remy.
The Two of Us will be published on March 25, 2025 by Kensington Publishing. I was able to read and review Foster and Yates latest novel via NetGalley. This novel is a pleasant journey that leads lost, lonely people to become friends and find animals to bond with.It´s a delight to read. Do enjoy!

If you are looking for a quick, fun read, The Two of Us by Lori Foster and Maisey Yates is perfect for you.  Both authors have created two stories that will pull at your heart strings.  The Odd Couple by Lori Foster, brings us the story of Ford and Skye. What starts out as Ford helping Skye with an ex-boyfriend situation turns into them adopting 2 dogs and quite possibly falling in love.  Force of Nature by Maisey Yates brings together Lydia and Remi and a cattle dog named Hank. Remi was always out of reach, being Lydia's brothers best friend.  But when Lydia offers to help ease the new relationship between Remi and Hank, a lot more is discovered, including hidden feelings.
Lori Foster and Maisey Yates are two of my favorite authors and they did not disappoint.  I highly recommend this book!

I really enjoyed both of these stories!! Lori Foster is one of my favorite authors & I’ve never been disappointed but Maisey Yates is new to me & I’d definitely read more of her books. The characters were all so likable and I always love when adorable rescue animals are involved!! You will love this entertaining, wonderful book!! I voluntarily read for an honest review.

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster ---- 4 STARS

This was such a sweet and short romance story! It gives off insta-love vibes even though we as readers are told that Ford and Skye have known of each other for a little over a year since becoming neighbors. Chemistry is on point -- these two are definitely attracted to one another physically but I love how Ms. Foster gives depth to their relationship growth - emotionally as well as relationally -- that it is not all physical attraction and lust. It was a fun fake boyfriend trope!

Skye is an attractive woman that doesn't truly know it as she has felt overshadowed by her twin sister, Layla and the outgoing personality her twin has compared to her own soft-spoken self. A twin myself, I found myself being able to relate to the twins and the relationship they have with one another. The sisters do compliment each other well it is that Skye really needed to spread her wings a bit more.....and that she did when she courageously went and asked her neighbor, Ford, to help her out of a problem getting rid of a pursuing guy that just wasn't taking her hints.

Ford, athletic but not overly beefy, exudes confidence but I love that he really is a homebody but willing to defend Skye. He is sweet and humble but hot and knows it. He is such a softy, especially for a sweet mutt at the animal shelter he had Maybelline. I love how he never hesitates to compliment and build up Skye despite the initial agreement of their fake relationship arrangement. Man does he have a way with words!

Fun and wonderful characters throughout, adorable dogs and the "fun" being new pet owners brings, no explicit language, plenty of kisses and there is open door scene but most of the details are implied and not graphic whatsoever. I always appreciate when authors give an epilogue to give a more full closure of the relationship. I really hope Ms. Foster will write a happily ever after for her twin sister!

Force of Nature by Maisey Yates -- 3 STARS

A quick romance read. A brothers best friend/best friend's sister mixed with opposites attract trope. Lydia Clay, a sweet girl who is full of life and always sees deep beyond the appearance in person and animal for that matter. She has a heart of gold and longs to see those neglected or damaged to be changed for the better. Her passion and compassionate heart is very admirable. She's always been in love iwht her brother's best friend. The story is one about getting him to see her beyond the young "girl" he knew when taken into her family's home and the "woman" she is in the present. Remy had a rough family life, and really is indebted in a grateful way to the Clay family for taking him in and showing a loving family unit and taking him as one of their own. Despite his childhood setbacks, he made a way for himself and didn't let what he parents were like affect the person he would become. Would he be able to see past his traumatic family upbringing? Would being together be good or bad, and how would it affect the family dynamics?

I really loved the Clay family - especially Lydia's mother, Nancy. She is a gem. This was not a clean story by any means.....some explicit language/profanity is used throughout the story, the intimate scene is open door and took several pages but it was not overly graphic but showed the deeper emotional connection the two were developing for one another. Lydia's brother is in a homosexual relationship/marriage. It was a fast relationship but you could excuse it since they both had known each other for a long time prior.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. All my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own..

The two of us-wonderful books.
The odd couple-Both Ford and Skye thought they never wanted a serious relationship ever again. But when Skye moved in next door,they realized how very wrong they were. And the dogs they adopted made it even better!
Forces of nature-Remy and Lydia have always secretly had feelings for each other. But they kept it secret because neither one thought they were worthy of each other. They’re brought together over the animals.

Two really great stories. Ford and Skye after a year of living next to each other and Skye needing help find more than what they were looking for. What a well written story full of love, friends and family and of course a couple dogs that seal the deal.

Lydia and Remington their story is a story which will tug at the heart strings. Remy has to decide if his past makes his future or can he realize the family that claimed him can be his real family? This was such sweet and touching story
This is my honest review for a book I volunteered to read

I really enjoyed both books in this one. I was glad I get the chance to review this because it has stories from two of my favorite authors. They both were romantic and heartfelt. I love the endings to them because there was a wedding at the end of both books.I look forward to reading more books by both authors. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

I always enjoy books by both Foster and Yates. They can be counted on to have good plots, interesting characters and happy endings. The two stories, The Odd Couple and Force of Nature were both exactly what I was looking for.

The Odd Couple features Ford, a lovable, sweet man and his next door neighbor, Skye. Ford has a full life with great friends (who may be familiar to Foster's readers). Since his yard backs up to Skye's she's seen him and his friends enjoying time around his pool. The two start talking a bit and when Skye needs help with an ex who won't take no for an answer she and Ford create a fake boyfriend plan. Then Skye's sister shows up and she's always been the cuter of the identical twins (or so Skye thinks) and how will this affect Ford?

I love the rescue dogs! Skye and Ford adopt two totally mismatched, but bonded, orphaned dogs. They agree to share dog sit for each other and even fencing their yards to allow easy access.

I enjoyed watching the two become a couple, Skye's progression with her twin, Laylee, and the eventual happily ever after.

Force of Nature also includes great characters and a pathetic, but lovable, dog. Remy has no love lost for his recently deceased father. His friend's sister, Lydia, brings an abused dog to Remy. The last thing Remy wants is an animal. He does NOT share Lydia's affinity for orphans wildlife. He doesn't understand how she keeps a house full of them including a raccoon. You know what's coming. Next thing he knows, Remy is hauling the dog everywhere with him. And spending a lot of time with Lydia. Can these two work past Remi's childhood and father issues? Can they have a happily ever after. Well, of course they do but the journey there makes for a good read.

I really enjoyed this book and you will too.

Thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Two of Us

Two wonderful stories in one book!

The Odd Couple

Skye and Ford have an electricity between them that has you anticipating their potential romance and also endearing you to them both. They are so clearly meant to go together like the odd couple doggie best friends in the story.

The dogs stole the show (as it should be). However, the romance keeps pace with the lovable dogs. I love the pretend boyfriend trope in Lori Foster's story. I love the love affair between Ford and Maybelline the most.

Force of Nature by Maisey Yates

I love Lydia and her heart full of love for all animals. She feels called to save them all and I certainly identify with her. She wants to help the difficult and the special needs pups. This story speaks to my heart.

She is pretty much the same with Remy and he couldn't have a better person wanting to make his life better. You feel so much for him and his hard childhood. I love the way the author makes you feel what Lydia is feeling.

Then here is Hank. The dog had it rough and needs some good in his life. I love that the dog is what ties everything together. I love how he is healing to Remy.

The family ties in this story are strong and I love that all of the love is given so freely to many who didn't think he was worthy. This is an uplifting and healing story with plenty of romance.

I loved both of these stories in different ways and they are both so well written. The dogs make it so much more special and show everyone how much a dog can truly bring to your life simply by being who they are.

Two great stories featuring love, romance, humor, and plenty of lovable dogs. Both stories also have an element of found family and great friendships. These were two heartwarming stories.

This book included two novellas that center around love, animals, and the bond between both people and their pets. I enjoyed both stories a lot, the characters were fully fleshed out even though the stories were short, and the writing style from both authors was excellent.

I was thrilled to read this book. I have been reading Lori Foster books for 20+ years and recently sread my first Maisey Yates booked and truly enjoyed it. This book contains two novellas, one by each author.

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster
This novella contains characters that each have their own separate novellas, but it can certainly be read as a stand alone.

Neighbors Skye and Ford don't really interact. Skye has an ex boyfriend she is trying to get to understand it is over. She asks Ford to fake date so the ex will get the hint. The relationship progresses and they decide to each adopt a dog that are bonded together.

As with novellas it was short and sweet. I think it lacked some development, but it is as a good quick read. 3 stars

Force of Nature by Maisey Yates

This novella follows Remy who has lived with Lydia's family since high school. His parents didn't really take care of him so his best friends family (Lydia's older brother) takes him in. He thrives. Lydia has had a crush on him since she was young.

Short, sweet. 4 stars

This is a two books in one novella that I really enjoyed. The characters were well written and told great stories. I loved the adoption of pets they really added to the story. I loved how the rescue pets not only found new families to love them but they also played match maker.

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ford and Skye are neighbors, they knew the other existed and watched each other from afar but they haven't introduced themselves. When one day Skye comes over and asks for a favor, to help her get rid of her ex that is just not taking a hint. After the first introduction there is a chemistry between them that draws them together. Ford's friends help in getting them together and its sweet. These two realize how alike they are and their relationship grows as they grow to understand each other. I loved their dogs and the craziness that ensues after their adoption. This was a sweet story and I loved all the characters.

Force of Nature by Maisey Yates
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Remy and Lydia have known each other since they were young. Remy's best friend is her brother, and he is like family to them. Lydia is a sassy woman who loves animals, she gets it in her head that she is going to make him realize that he is for her. It is obvious that these two characters belong together. I love stories about found family and sibling's best friend, and this story did not disappoint. I really enjoyed this story and this was my first book by this author and I am looking forward to reading more of her books.

Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from author.