Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC of Pugs and Kisses.

This book was so boring. Honestly, if it wasn’t an ARC, I probably would have put this in the DNF pile. But I wanted to give it a chance. It did not deserve the chance that I gave it though because as I kept reading, the more I couldn’t help think that Bryson was an immature and insecure love-interest and Evie deserved better than him or Cameron.

The chemistry between Evie and Bryson was lacking. I don’t understand what Evie saw in Bryson to be honest. And the more Bryson talked about their past and his detest of Cameron, the more I thought this ain’t the one for you Evie.

It takes a while for Evie and Bryson to talk about their past relationship – or fling or whatever you want to call it – and when they finally do discuss it, I was shaking my head at Bryson for being so insecure and silly for not just talking to Evie about what he felt at the time. And then he continued on that insecurity train throughout the remainder of the book.

Sure, Bryson finally realizes that Evie isn’t like her parents or what he believes someone that comes from money would be like, but shouldn’t he have realized that early on? Why did it take so long for him to come around to the fact that she didn’t care about any of that?

The pacing was slow to start with and then speeds up out of nowhere in order to cram in a bunch of things that happen in the last remaining chapters. By that point though, I was already not invested in the love story and was just eager to get this read over with in order to move onto another book that I would truly engage in.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of Pugs and Kisses, all thoughts and reviews are my own.

Throw any stupid cute Hallmark "esq" rom-com together with dogs in it and I'm already game. I knew I would love this book from the title and cover( I know, I'm cheating) and I was right. If you are an animal lover looking for a meet cute and a light hearted read this is the one for you!

4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to Forever and Net Galley for the ARC of Pugs and Kisses.

Farah Rochon is one of my favorite authors and I've read over a dozen of her books and this has to be one of my least favorites.

I feel like we didn't get enough of the back story between the main characters. There was no chemistry between them. The dogs didn't have the same chemistry as the ones in Pardon my Frenchie. Overall this book felt rushed to me. The whole book felt rushed for publication. Hopefully the next book in the series will be better.

Pugs and Kisses is listed as a standalone at Amazon and Fantastic Fiction, but fans of the author will quickly recognize it as the second story about three friends living in New Orleans. You don’t have to read the first book, Pardon My Frenchie, to enjoy this one.

Within days of ditching her pet-hating fiancé, veterinarian Evie Williams adopts an adorable pug-mix, names him Waffles, and starts to rebuild her life from the ground up. Her first step should be a new job. The practice she shared with her cheating ex is no longer an employment option; her part-time job at Barkingham Palace doesn’t pay much, and she refuses to be financially dependent on her wealthy parents. Especially since they hate her career and adore her former squeeze. Until she can find a permanent position, she decides to volunteer her services at The Sanctuary, the charitable veterinary hospital/shelter where she adopted Waffles. She’d interned there during her student days and believes strongly in their mission. Fortunately, she has some savings to carry her through the next few months, so she can take her time finding a new job.

Once she starts, she learns a few key things have changed since her last visit. The mentorship program between LSU Veterinary College and the animal refuge has been discontinued. Moreover, the facility is financially unstable. Without The Sanctuary, and its founder, Doc Landry, Evie isn’t sure she would have been able to get her own degree. She is determined to give other young people the chance to learn there and save the animals re-homed through its services. She’s never done fundraising before, but how hard can it be?

Bryson Mitchell is a nationally recognized veterinary surgeon and popular public speaker. He’s avoided Louisiana for years since bad memories from his childhood and collegiate career tainted his attitude towards it. But he’s finally decided to stop running from his feelings and trying to escape his past. He hopes this move home will let him spend more time with family and old friends, but there is one previous connection he plans to stay far away from: his long-lost crush, Evie. It should be easy; New Orleans is a big city, so the odds of their running in to each other must be huge. Then Doc Landry, his former mentor, asks him to help Evie save The Sanctuary. Bryson had walked away from Evie without even a goodbye, so he’s not sure she will be willing to work cordially with him on a long-shot project, but he reluctantly agrees to try for Doc’s sake.

Evie is willing to do anything to save her beloved pet rescue facility, even work with Bryson. But she is determined to lay down some ground rules first. That summer in college when they’d both worked at the shelter, they’d been unable to keep their hands off each other; this time around, they will for sure be keeping all body parts to themselves. She’s just got out of a relationship where she had given a man multiple chances to get things right, and all he’d done was make things more wrong. She’s using a new one-and-done policy, and Bryson has already had his ‘one’. But Evie’s rules may just go out the window once Bryson and his precious papillon, Bella, start ingratiating themselves into her and Waffle’s lives.

Ms. Rochon’s work is always infused with light and laughter, even when tackling tough subjects. While the book starts with Evie walking in on her man while he is with another woman, she doesn’t stay down in the dumps for long. (I mourned guys I had dated for months longer than she does this ten-year relationship.) She is assured by good friends Ashanti (heroine of Pardon My Frenchie) and Ridley that she always deserved better, has her new pup Waffles to keep her company, and quickly gets involved in a will-they-or won’t-they relationship with Bryson as she throws all her energy into fundraising for The Sanctuary. I’m not much in the mood for angst, getting plenty of that from the news, so I appreciated the bright tone of the book, even as I doubted that a real human could rebound quite so quickly from Evie’s situation.

But I’m not the only one who enjoys Evie’s sunny, sweet personality. Bryson isn’t in her company for long before he realizes that she is exactly everything he and Bella need to make their lives complete. He’d ghosted her back in the day because he’d been intimidated by just how rich and successful her parents are, but having achieved success of his own, he feels more confident pursuing her. (If you’re thinking the ghosting and insecurity are relationship red flags, know that I am right there with you.)

They have terrific dates. From the delectable canine-friendly eateries they frequent to the beauties of the bayou areas, the author does a terrific job of giving us a good sense of time and place. I enjoyed tagging along with these two as they explore their city and get reacquainted. Bryson and Evie make a good team; whether they are taking care of the critters at The Sanctuary or brainstorming fundraising ideas, they work effectively as a unit and have fun while doing it.

The story does have its flaws, keeping it from a higher grade. Bella and Waffles don’t have much personality. Given the roles they play in the book and how gung-ho their owners are about having pets, it would have been nice to see a bit more of just what makes them unique and charming. Bryson attended a private school and had been made to feel he was ‘less’ by the rich kids who made up the bulk of its population, but while I certainly agree that what they did was wrong, I found it disconcerting that he didn’t realize how lucky his middle-class self was compared to many others. That resentment is still a (quiet) factor in his relationship with Evie for the bulk of the book. He’s a good guy - funny, kind, sexy, attentive, successful - but I feared his insecurity and tendency to bail would keep rearing their ugly heads the longer they are together.

Additionally, while I was grateful that the first portion of the story isn’t weighed down with Evie’s sorrow over the end of her previous relationship, I wish more time had passed between that messy ending and her getting together with Bryson.

Those are mostly quibbles, though. Pugs and Kisses is, despite a few hiccups, a fun, breezy story about finding the right path after taking a few wrong ones. I recommend it to readers looking for a light, cute summer read and to fans of the author.

Very sweet story of vets, Evie and Bryson. Second chance romance revolving around saving the rescue clinic, The Sanctuary, where they volunteered together for a memorable summer 10 years ago. Well written, quick, easy, fun read. Has other nice story lines with their personal lives, their friends and families, but a little disappointing about what the MMC keeps getting hung up on, although the FMC has never given him a reason to do so! An engaging and cute read! Would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was cute and charming! I loved the fmc and the bits of New Orleans that we got throughout this book. The reason I rated it 3 stars is because the mmc needed to grovel wayyyyyy more.

ARC review

4,25 stars

Evie finds her fiance cheating on her and then she has to quit her job at his practice (they are both veterinarians).
Bryson is her colleage crush (now a veterinarian surgeon).
They reconect while trying to save an animal shelter.

I received an ARC from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

What you can expect:
- second chance romance
- veterinarian and veterinary surgeon
- forced proximity
- slow burn with spice
- cute dogs

This was a very cute and well written story.
I like a second chance romance with mature characters.
Even if there was a slight miscomunication that kept them apart 10 years ago, I think that they needed the time apart to be ready for this relationship.
The fact that they were friends before and did not hurry to get together now helped create a healthy relationship.
They both have insecurities and needed to comunicate better.

Please be aware of some content warnings specified at the beggining of the book (death of a dog - patient of the clinic, infidelity and strained parental relationship)

I enjoyed this story and plan on reading other books from the author.

I absolutely adored the love story between Evie and Bryson. I absolutely loved Pardon My Frenchie so I was so excited to be able to read this story. Evie was a veterinarian, and Bryson was the Vet Surgeon, and they had a lot to work through in this story. Right away the action starts, and they build a beautiful relationship. Each character has things they have to work on, but they come together in the end. This is definitely a slow burn, and I loved every bit. Dog centered rom coms will always be my favorite and I hope to see more from Ms. Rochon in the future.
Thank you Forever for the copy of this beautiful story.

Ahhh, I seriously can’t get enough of these adorable, dog-centered rom-coms!

This one definitely kicked off with a bang. 😅 I wasn’t expecting to be thrown right into the drama from page one—but honestly, I loved it. (Not that I loved seeing our girl get done dirty at the start, but it had me hooked immediately!)

The chemistry between Bryson and Evie? Absolutely electric. They really tried to pretend their feelings were in the past, but let’s be real—they were never fooling anyone, especially not themselves. The way they kept slipping back into their old rhythm was both heart-melting and inevitable.

Now, about Evie’s ex-fiancé… he’s lucky he’s fictional, because I was this close to jumping into the book myself. The audacity! The nerve! It's up with him forever lol

Can't wait for more from Farrah in the future!! <3

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 | 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon is a warm hug in book form! This story follows Evie and Bryson, two aspiring veterinarians who reconnect years after their college internship at an animal rescue. What begins as a fluffy friendship laced with unresolved tension quickly turns into something more, all while they rally together to save the very place that brought them together in the first place.

This second-chance romance is packed with heart and filled with swoony moments, lingering pining, and—of course—adorable animals. Bryson and Evie’s chemistry is undeniable, and their banter and shared history add a rich emotional depth to their connection. I loved how the story explored not only their romantic journey but also their individual growth, family dynamics, and the importance of self-worth beyond class and background.

While the miscommunication trope shows up a bit (and yes, a few things could’ve been solved with a simple conversation), it doesn’t take away from the genuine charm and heart of this story. The spice is light but sensual—just enough to make your heart flutter without overshadowing the emotional core.

With lovable side characters, a meaningful setting, and a romance that blooms naturally, Pugs and Kisses is a feel-good read that left me smiling. If you love second chances, veterinarian vibes, and sweet-but-simmering love stories, this one will definitely warm your heart.

Tropes to love: Second Chance Romance, Forced Proximity, Veterinarian x Veterinary Surgeon, Pining, Slight Miscommunication, and Cute Pets Galore. 🐾💕

Thank you again to NetGalley and Farrah Rochon for the arc💖. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

+ second-chance romance

Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon is a sweet, second-chance romance full of adorable pups, charming banter, and just the right amount of emotional fluff to make it the perfect beach or poolside read.

This is a follow-up to Pardon My Frenchie, and while it works as a standalone, fans will recognize Evie Williams, Ashanti’s veterinarian best friend, as the heroine in the spotlight this time. After walking in on her fiancé with another woman (yikes), Evie’s life takes a hard left turn. Not only is her heart broken, but she’s now stuck working at the veterinary clinic she once shared with said ex. In need of comfort, she visits the local animal shelter and fate steps in, in the form of Bryson, her college crush/past summer fling.

Evie and Bryson’s chemistry is effortless, and their banter is flirty and fun without being overdone. Their journey from unfinished college business to grown-up reconnection is heartwarming and easy to root for. And the dog content? Absolutely top-tier.

That said, I couldn’t help but feel the pacing was a little off compared to Pardon My Frenchie, which I loved. The characters here didn’t feel quite as developed, particularly Bryson, whose career-driven overachiever persona and strained family dynamics had room for a deeper dive. Still, Rochon keeps things breezy and light, making this a feel-good read you can smile your way through.

I’m already wagging my tail (sorry, had to add in dog puns) in anticipation of the next installment—Ridley’s story is sure to unleash even more heart and hilarity.

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the eARC! Pugs and Kisses is available for pre-order now and hits shelves July 15th—don’t miss it if you’re in the mood for sweet romance and even sweeter pups. 🐾

3.5⭐️ honestly it probably would’ve been 4 stars because it was cute and I grew up with a pug (thank you so much Farrah for making me cry over my childhood dog 😭❤️). Plus it’s clear how much the author loves New Orleans with the detail and intimacy of the setting.

But the last 10% or so was incredibly frustrating. Most men in romance novels need therapy but usually I can still enjoy the HEA even if they don’t get it. This book was frustrating bc the MMC needs big therapy, thinks about how he should talk to a professional to work on the issues that led directly to the 3rd act breakup (the last of several times where he is rude/hurtful to the FMC bc of his insecurities), and then we do not get it on page nor do we have even a hint to it happening the epilogue. Grand gesture was grand and apologetic but didn’t really really show how he’d learned/grown or how he was not gonna make this same mistake again.

This story reminded me of a cute romantic comedy movie. Evie unfortunately caught her man cheating on her. They were engaged, so of course it altered her reality.

After that disaster, Evie runs into Bryson. They had a fling in college years ago. They ended up reconnecting because of their similar interests. She's a veterinarian, and Bryson is a veterinary surgeon.

This book is a very slow burn, but it didn't take away from the story for me. We see Evie and Bryson communicate their issues and insecurities as their relationship develops. If you're into forced proximity, dogs, and second-chance romance, this book is for you.

Once again, I've read the second book in the series of an author new to me. However, it didn't feel like I missed anything while reading the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever Publishing, and Farrah Rochon for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book completely captured me with its perfect mix of heart and hope. The writing is tender and honest, drawing you into the quiet moments and the small, meaningful gestures that build the romance. The romance simmered with emotion and never felt rushed or forced, which made every connection between them feel earned and powerful. It reminded me why I adore stories where healing and love go hand in hand, and it left me smiling long after long after it ended.

Dogs? Hot veterinarian…… dogs……second chance romance? All a yes for me!

This is the perfect book for any dog lover who loves spice, second chance and of course romance!
I have read all of Rohan’s books and just like the rest this one did not disappoint!

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with a copy of the book.

"Pugs and Kisses" follows "Pardon my Frenchie" in this New Orleans romance series by Farrah Rochon. While each can be read as a standalone, but is best enjoyed together. While I enjoyed the lightness of this book, it did feel confectionary- it's lightness quickly dissolved on my tongue-but this ok as we all need some sweetness in our lives. The romance is second-chance and has some open door sec scenes, but is not overly spicy. I would recommend this book as a beach/travel read-it isn't overly long and juust enough to be a good time.

Such another cute installment in this pet centered romance. Evie and Bryson were really interesting characters and I loved the nostalgia element of them having to work together again. I did enjoy the progression of the story, however I wanted more of them building up the Sanctuary and actually being together without have to work through insecurities and stuff. The biggest takeaway from this story for me is Ridley. Her development kept coming up as an introduction into the next book and I’m very excited to hear how her story gets rounded out. I’m a little bias, as I truly enjoy Farrahs’ work so my review for this book is no different. Definitely a cute easy summer read. XO (for pugs and kisses..)

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever and Farrah Rochon for the free e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute slow burn, second chance romance, following Evie and Bryson, college crushes. The chemistry and charm behind Evie, the veterinarian and Bryson, the veterinarian surgeon was lovely to read. — there is drama that shakes up from page one. It’s been almost a decade since the last time the MCs encounter one another but the feels are still there in abundance.

If you love a second chance romance with adorable pups for sidekicks working to save an animal shelter, read this!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a fun romance novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Pugs and Kisses was such a cute second chance, slow burn little romance. I loved watching Evie find herself following the break-up of her long time boyfriend/fiancé Cameron. I loved the character growth Evie goes through when dealing with her parents high expectations for her and her career, and finding her voice to stand up for herself and what she feels like is the best for her own life. Bryson was such a sweetheart and I was rooting for him from the very start!! I was absolutely LOVING how we essentially got the "It was always you, it could never be anyone else" trope too. Bryson was such a down bad mmc. I do wish we got a little more insight on the underlying tension between Bryson and his parents. It was introduced/alluded to but there wasn't a real resolution for that nor was there anything really explained on why that tension was there.

There wasn't too much drama just enough to keep the plot interesting and moving forward. I've learned this book is part of an interconnected series and other than some side conversations that you may be lacking some context for I think think this is okay to read without the first one. The beginning of this book is slower-paced but the last 40% or so it picks up quite nicely.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Good laughs, cute charm, and cute dogs all in the setting of New Orleans. I think this would be a perfect summer read & it wont be my last book by the author.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the E-Arc!
All opinions are my own.