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.

What a heartwarming book. Each story was fun to read & filled family dynamics,new found love & rescue dogs…what more do you need :)

The Two of Us is a compilation of stories from two award winning authors, Lori Foster and Maisey Yates. Each author brings a story about partnership, purpose and pets. Who could go wrong with a cuddly new friend and romance?

The first story up is from Lori Foster titled, The Odd Couple. Ford and Skye are neighbors who notice each other but really don’t interact until she stops over asking for help. He isn’t that keen on helping her but when his friends convince him, he wonders why he hadn’t made an effort to get to know his intriguing neighbor before now. Skye isn’t one to keep relationships outside of the convenience factor. Always having a date at the ready for social events is a plus. When the latest guy won’t take the hint to beat it, she goes off to enlist the help of her neighbor to pretend to be her current boyfriend. Skye and Ford embark on a ruse to throw off her suitor but wind up finding what each had been searching for this entire time. Throw in some old friends and new furry friends and this story has longevity and a happy ending for the characters.

Force of Nature is the second story written by Maisey Yates. It features Lydia and Remy and is a story about what makes a family. Remy didn’t have a good home life, his parents really couldn’t be bothered with him so he found a family that could. The Clay family welcomed him in to their home with open arms. He found a family without really looking. Lydia had a crush on Remy for as long as she could remember, and when he moved into their home it was the best of both worlds. Too bad he had no idea just how strong her feelings for him were. When Remy’s father dies and his animals become front and center in her world she knows who she needs to enlist help from. Remy doesn’t want a dog, but somehow Lydia convinces him as only she could. Remy and Lydia find that love happens at different times for different people but when the connection is real, the rest doesn’t matter.

I was so excited to read this book. It contains 2 novellas from two of my favorite authors.

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster
I absolutely loved the story and the characters of Ford and Skye. They were neighbors who had encountered each other here and there. But it wasn’t until Skye had a huge favor to ask. She saw Ford out in the backyard with his friends so she went over to ask her favor. She wasn’t essentially asking Ford, she was asking if any of the men could help her. I gave her so much credit for starting out with if you’re married I don’t want your help. Showed her moral character right from the get-go.
Well, Ford did decide to help her out with this favor that she needed. It brought them so much closer. So much closer that, they even adopted dogs together. Dogs that could not be separated because they were so attached to each other.
You have to read this book to understand the connection that they had, that neither one of them was expecting.
And Maybelline just stole my heart!
I absolutely LOVED it!

Force of Nature by Maisey Yates

This is Lydia and Remy’s story. They definitely had extreme different backgrounds. Remy came from an abusive father and a mother that neglected him. Lydia however, came from a loving family. So loving that when Remy needed a place to live, they took him in and made him a part of the family. This was very hard for Lydia because she crushed and then fell in love with him. Of course in Remy’s eyes, she was off limits. He considered her to be like a little sister, and she was also the little sister of his best friend.
But now at the age of 27 Lydia asks Remy for a huge favor.

I don’t do spoilers so you’re gonna have to read this book to find out what happens.

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster Neighbors Ford and Skye knew each other to wave and say hi but didn't really talk other than that. Skye went over to Ford's house when he had friends over to see if any of them were single because she had a favor, to get rid of a guy friend that wouldn't leave her alone. Ford had agreed to be the pretend boyfriend and the quickly became friends and so much more. They had a love for animals also. This was such an enjoyable story and I just loved all the characters. This is a really fun quick read.
Force of Nature by Maisey Yates was also a really enjoyable story an another quick read. It's about a couple that have known each other since childhood. Remy lived with Lydia and her family when he was in high school and best friends with her brother. Lydia has had a crush from the moment she met him years ago. Remy was always afraid of relationships because his family was so bad. I just love this sweet enjoyable story.
Thank you for the ARC.

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster****
Force of Nature by Maisey Yates*****
Both of these stories are great, easy to read, charming community, interesting storyline and character depth. Heartwarming experiences, steamy, emotional and very entertaining.

What a fun read! I always love a good Lori Foster story but I was also introduced to Maisey Yates. Love and animals. You can’t go wrong! Read it!

Two novellas by different authors tied together through a shared passion for looking after and adopting animals.

These novellas felt rushed to me, particularly as they both saw the starts of relationships right through to weddings. I understand the format, but it felt like relationship development was kind of thrown out the window. Particularly in Lori Foster's The Odd Couple. Another thing that bothered me was how prominent virginity was in Force of Nature, with how it was thought about by the mmc making me uncomfortable - it was bordering on purity culture.

Otherwise, these two stories were enjoyable as a break away from heavy drama.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

great stories! there's two stories in this book and both are great! cute and sweet romantic stories that make you feel happy. I had fun with these. both stories just give you a little lift to your spirit. they're fun and entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed them. the characters were great and had cute animals in them too.

Two stories by two amazing authors. Two short tales that both have moments that will make you smile, and also give you a warm feeling inside. There was love abounding…love between a man and a woman, and their amazing capacity to love all animals. I was taken in by all the abounding love.

This is a wonderful two-for. Instead of just one great story, we get two from two different authors. And of course who doesn’t love rescue animals!!
Odd Couple is one of my fave tropes with the fake boyfriend. Always love how those turn out and as always, Lori Foster provides us with a great story and lovable characters.
Force of Nature is also a good one yet very different from the other. This is a new author for me. It’s was an emotional read at times and I enjoyed it. Has a little spice to it as well so that’s always a treat. I would read something from her again.

I adored both the books. The characters are just plain adorable. The pets are such a good addition. I read this in one go and can't say I was disappointed.


I received this ARC from NetGalley and Kensington to read/review.

Amazing insta love stories by two amazing authors! Definitely a must read! 5 stars for each one!!
Lori's story is about two neighbors, Ford and Skye, who do the occasional hello, and he helps her out when needed. When she shows up while his friends are there, and has an unusual request, she needs a fake boyfriend pronto because the guy she was hanging with won't take her no for an answer. When Ford finally decides to help her out, just in time, these two share a connection, and what was once fake is turning real quick!
You will enjoy their story so much! Don't miss out!
Now onto Maisey's story, another hit in my opinion! Here you have a hero, Remy, who didn't have the best upbringing, until his best friends family took him in and away from his horrible life. He never thought about Lydia in any way other than his best friends little sister. When she shows up at his door, with a dog, that used to belong to his dad, he's not sure about this. You see, Lydia is an animal lover who saves all animals, including a raccoon! He gives in and decides the dog needs him! Then Lydia explains her current situation, and now he can't stop thinking about that, and deep down inside wanting to be the one to help her with it!
Lydia is just the person he needs in his life to show him that he is worthy of love, and she's the one to show him.
I loved this one, they're both great stories! Grab these asap!

The Two of Us is a duel book by two authors.
Lori Foster the “Odd Couple” is a great read. Skye and Ford are neighbors on limited contact until Skye is in need of backup to rid her life of a nuisance boyfriend. Ford steps up to the plate to be her fake boyfriend only to get more than he bargained for. Clever, warm read.
Maisey Yates “Force of Nature” is a grow Into womanhood experience for Lydia and a healing of past wounds and heart for Remi. Long suppressed emotions rise to the surface and lead to healing. Good spicy read.
I was given an advanced reads copy of this book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.