This was a thoroughly enjoyable book - Light-hearted, funny, and easy to read. MCs Evie and Bryson were great to get to know. I liked seeing Bryson work through his insecurities about growing up poor and not feeling like he fit in with wealthy and relative fame. I recommend this book; it's a great read. Now I want to go out and sponsor an animal shelter.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

4.25/5 ⭐

A second chance romance, with cute dogs, and a mission to save the animal shelter.

Evie, a veterinarian who seems to have the perfect life, until that life crumples when she catches her fiance cheating and she have to quit her job at his practice. Feeling down she goes to the animal shelter to check on things and runs into Bryson, her summer fling from a decade ago. With the shelter at risk of shutting down they team up to rescue The Rescue, and try not to fall in love again.

This was such a cozy and wholesome book. I loved the flow of the story, the characters, and the romance. I'm struggling with a reading slump, and this helped making me want to read more. Also I love Bella and Waffles! and ofc, Evie and Bryson lol.

I highly recommend this book if you want a cute fast read, and love second chance romance.

Another Read Now steal from NetGalley and I had SUCH a nice time with this one. I really liked that the past was a big deal that wasn't ultimately and that for all the FMC was the one who should have had baggage, the MMC was the one who needed to get his shit together. Very good complicated mother/daughter relationship scene too. And the dogs were darling.

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.</i>

This book was excellent until 60% in. Then it all went downhill.

He's such a jerk! He tells her that her fiance, that she's been in a relationship with for a decade, was always a jerk and he always knew it and he's glad now she does. Who says that? That is so disrespectful and rude. She broke up with her fiance maybe two weeks ago? So a third of her life was spent with this guy and that's how he's talking to her? That's not respect.

Then she tells him she just wants to be friends and he kisses her. That's assault.

What finally did me in: he's at a school for career day and she's accompanying him, and then he says this is ”Dr Williams she's a veterinarian too! Talk to her about it." She didn't consent to that! He's making decisions for her? And telling her all her previous decisions were bad? Oh and he keeps treating her like the little rich girl and he's this authentic bayou boy ... who just bought a million dollar condo, and she gets no money from her family.

Not to mention, he ghosted her 10 years ago. They were dating for the summer and then he saw her house and she's rich so he just left. Didn't tell her they were breaking up or anything but "oh well her family's rich so I could never be a part of her life so I'm just going to piss off". Who is he to question her judgment when he acts that way?

He is immature about his family as well. "I moved back to Louisiana, so now I require you to be with me when I say." When his mom makes other plans he's angry and rude.

So far the majority of this book, even when we're in her head, is about him. I do not read books to be in the minds of men all the time. The universe gives us enough insight into men. I don't need it in my books.

We have more conversations on his side: about his family, his practice, his dog. When we're inside her head or she's talking to her friends she's mostly talking about either the fiance she kicked out for cheating, or him, the guy who ghosted her 10 years ago. She only exists for him.

That's so unfortunate, because the book had real heart and great characters and it just fell flat. It was 4 stars easy until it all went wrong.

(Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.)

The banter in this book was so good, and Evie and Bryson are adorable together. The author did a gorgeous job with the friends-to-lovers progression, and they had such great chemistry together.
The parents' storyline didn't really capture my full attention, but it was interesting.
The writing was very easy and flowed really well. I honestly couldn't put the book down!
Thank you to NetGalley, Farrah Rochon, and Forever for the eARC of this book.

Thank you to Forever for the advance reader copy of Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon.  

Dr. Evie Williams discovers at the beginning of the book that her fiancé is cheating on her. Following this revelation, she leaves the practice where they worked together. Then her college crush, Bryson Mitchell, someone who Evie has never really forgotten, returns to town. Both maintained connections to an animal shelter where they used to volunteer and both are determined to not let it close when they learn it’s at risk.

I really enjoyed this book! As soon as I started it I didn’t want to put it down. Evie and Bryson are so good together!!! Reading these two as they navigate reuniting with each other drew me in. I loved how they were brought back together and the story of these two reconnecting is so sweet. I enjoyed getting to see how both Evie and Bryson grow throughout this story. There were a few moments toward the end of the book related to Evie’s story that are highlights for me. And we get to be reunited with characters from Pardon My Frenchie!

If you enjoy a second chance romance, this is one to check out!!

For a contemporary romance, this was fine. I didn't mind the characters and the New Orleans setting was good. The end solution (throwing a high class gala together in two weeks is very impossible, said as a former event planner) felt a bit rushed.

The dogs were pretty cute.

The internal issues both characters had to go through were understandable, but the romance felt a little fast.

📖 Book Review 📖 Is Farrah Rochon a D.E.A.R. situation? After Pardon My Frenchie, the answer is a resounding yes! Dr. Evie Williams, vet and best friend extraordinaire is back with her own feature in Pugs & Kisses. Breakups are hard - especially when your ex is a cheating liar - but a new furry companion in the shape of a pug/beagle mix always makes life a little sweeter…so does the unexpected return of a former crush. New Orleans is a city that still has socioeconomic divisions and Evie and Bryson did not come from the same circle, but a beloved animal shelter named The Sanctuary brought them together years ago. Now that Bryson is back in the Big Easy and The Sanctuary is at risk of closing its doors, the two are on a mission! Farrah Rochon harmoniously combines my three favorite things into the perfect rom com: dogs, activism, and NOLA!

A cute slow burn, second chance romance with adorable pups as sidekicks? Yes please!

Evie walking into HER house to find her fiance in bed with another woman is not how she was expecting her day to go. Neither did she expect to run into the man who broke her heart and ghosted her while volunteering at the shelter where they met shortly after. But that's what happens. Evie is determined to keep her distance from Bryson, now a hotshot veterinary surgeon, while she figures out what to do with her life. Having left her job because her ex owns the veterinary clinic she worked at, it's not long before something falls into her lap: her mentor and the owner of the shelter asks for her help raising money to save it. The only thing is, he's asked Bryson too. Hell bent on keeping things in the past, Evie begrudgingly says yes to helping, but it's not long before she can no longer ignore the feelings Bryson gave her all those years ago - and now. She can't move forward with him until she knows why he left in the first place, and are the people they are now still compatible enough to be together?

This was a cute romance, and I really loved the banter between Evie and Bryson. I think the author did a really good job of showing how strong their friendship had been/is now, and how that played into the strength of them starting something new. I also loved how the story wrapped up, and how it set up for the next book in the series.

I did feel a bit of a disconnect with the parents storyline. Both Bryson and Evie have slightly strained relationships with their parents. And while Evie got a little bit of resolution with her mom, Bryson's issues weren't really addressed in a serious sense, moreso just in an offhand way. I also felt like the majority of the plot happened in the last 40% of the book, which I don't mind but it could be a very slow start for other readers.

I would recommend this to slow burn romance lovers, especially those who love dogs in a story!

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Pugs and Kisses was a cute story. I really enjoyed the second chance romance as well as the supportive friendships throughout.

I really liked how dogs were part of the story. Bits of romance was nice too. The book was a little too many pages than I liked. The cover looked good too.

I fell in love with the title (how adorable is that?), and then fell in love with the book itself. Farrah Rochon’s Pugs and Kisses is the ultimate serotonin boost: a feel good, dog filled, sweet second chance romance that hit every one of my soft spots. The writing is just so flowy and warm, and I genuinely couldn’t put it down. I was totally locked in from page one. And we can all agree that any book featuring romance AND dogs is going to hit.

Evie and Bryson? Instant chemistry, rich backstory, and such beautifully messy, vulnerable conversations. It’s been nearly a decade since their college summer fling, and their reconnection comes with a big helping of regret, reflection, and some very satisfying groveling (which I loved). Their emotional journey unfolds at the perfect pace, making every moment feel earned.

The plot was so well done! Both main characters are veterinarians (yes to Black vet rep 🙌), and they’re brought back together to help save the dog sanctuary they volunteered at back in college. I was totally invested in every twist and turn, and the way it all came together at the end was perfect. Also, the dynamic between their rescue dogs, Waffles and Bella, was just as charming as their own romance.

Evie’s growth post breakup was one of my favorite arcs. Watching her break free from the expectations placed on her and find her own joy again? Ugh, I loved it. And Bryson, with all his baggage, acknowledging it and actually putting in the work to heal? We love a self-aware king.

Also, can we talk about the New Orleans setting? It was vibrant. From the food to the bayou, Farrah Rochon brings the city to life, grounding the romance with a strong sense of place and real world issues like gentrification. It added so much texture to the story, and although I have never been to Louisiana, I desperately want to go now.

And yes, I totally think Book 3 is going to be Ridley and Von and YES, I need it immediately.

🚨TW/CW: On page pet death (not the MCs pet), cheating (Evie’s ex + her parents’ history), strained parent relationships.

If you loved Pardon My Frenchie, this one might just top it (Evie was the perfect choice for a spin off). If you haven’t read the first, this still stands beautifully on its own, but you’ll want to go back and meet the whole friend group after! This series is aging like fine wine and I have no notes. Just smiles, swoons, and a heart full of puppy love.

Thank you to NetGalley, Farrah Rochon, and Forever for the eARC of this book.

Farrah Rochon’s Pugs and Kisses is the kind of feel-good romance that sneaks up on you. It is equal parts tender, funny, and full of heart. Set against the lively backdrop of New Orleans, Rochon gives readers a second-chance love story wrapped in the cozy charm of rescue dogs and old friendships.

Evie and Bryson’s chemistry feels both natural and earned, making their emotional journey as satisfying as it is swoon-worthy. Rochon doesn’t rush the romance. Instead, she lets it build slowly, mixing in just enough banter, vulnerability, and pug-fueled chaos to keep the story grounded and sincere.

This book isn’t just about love between two people. It is about rebuilding, rediscovering what makes you feel alive, and letting go of what no longer fits. Pugs and Kisses is the perfect comfort read for anyone who believes in second chances, happy endings, and the healing power of a wagging tail

This book really is perfect for dog lovers and second chance romance readers.
I loved everything about it.

4.5/5

As a dog lover, I was obsessed with this book. The romance was excellent at advancing the plot plus who doesn’t love a second chance romance. At times, the main male’s characters reasons for the past annoyed me but I got over it.

I also liked the three friends and how their stories interact. While you can read as a stand alone, I look forward to reading the others. Thank you NetGalley!

I devoured this book in a day because I literally could not put it down. There is so much to like about this book, I have no complaints. The title instantly lured me; the cover and synopsis were an added plus. I love a good second-chance romance, and this book delivered that perfectly. Reading about Evie and Bryson had me cheesing. I also loved the friendship dynamic with Evie and her girlfriends. The writing and pace were great; most importantly, I never got bored. I also loved the black veterinarian representation. This book is perfect for dog lovers and romance fans. I would definitely recommend and check out other books by this author.

This book is the perfect follow up to Pardon My Frenchie! I was invested in the characters who were reflective and funny! I loved the connection to Pardon My Frenchie. Loved the setting in New Orleans! The fact that both lead characters were black Vets made the story attractive. They were both likeable and I loved that they openly communicated throughout. It felt very healthy and open. It's a very romantic and sweet former almost lovers turned lovers story and I read in two days. Also, the cover art is so cute!

We first met Evie in Pardon my Frenchie, the best friend of Ashanti the owner of Barkingham palace doggy daycare. I am so glad the veterinarian got her own story and may I say it was slightly better than the OG?

From the outside, veterinarian Evie Williams appears to have the perfect but boring life. She is desperate to figure out a way to shake it up, but gets more than she bargained for when she finds her fiancé in bed with another woman. Suddenly, Evie is without a fiancé or a job, and isn’t sure what her next steps should be. That is, until her college crush, Bryson Mitchell, returns to town.
Now, a nationally recognized veterinary surgeon, Bryson is stunned when he encounters Evie Williams for the first time in half a decade. When they learn the animal shelter where they used to volunteer is in danger of closing, the two must work together to save it. It has Bryson wondering, can he and Evie also save the friendship they once shared and finally bring it to the next level?

For fans of dogs, second chance romance and New Orleans his book will have you swooning, laughing and aweeeing over and over again. While a stand alone, I do recommend meeting the friend group in the first book prior to picking this one up. I have no notes or criticism just smiles and butterflies

Such a cute, cozy story with not much drama. This was much needed 🥰 loved the cute pets and friendships in the book so much. Also, it shows the struggle that one has when entering a relationship with a financial gap between the partners and how people feel when they're the poorer side. Overall it really is worth reading

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

SKIP CHAPTER: 22, 28

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

This is the first book that I've received from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) so let's hope it delivers 💖💖 also thank you Netgalley for the early copy 🫶🏻

Sinopsis en español:


Desde fuera, la veterinaria Evie Williams parece tener la vida perfecta pero aburrida. Ella está desesperada por encontrar una manera de sacudirlo, pero obtiene más de lo que esperaba cuando encuentra a su prometido en la cama con otra mujer. De repente, Evie está sin prometido ni trabajo, y no está segura de cuáles deberían ser sus próximos pasos. Es decir, hasta que su enamorado de la universidad, Bryson Mitchell, regrese a la ciudad.

Ahora, un cirujano veterinario reconocido a nivel nacional, Bryson se queda atónto cuando se encuentra con Evie Williams por primera vez en media década. Cuando se enteran de que el refugio de animales donde solían ser voluntarios está en peligro de cerrar, los dos deben trabajar juntos para salvarlo. Bryson se pregunta, ¿pueden él y Evie también salvar la amistad que una vez compartieron y finalmente llevarla al siguiente nivel?




Reseña:

Disfruté del libro, me gustó que ambos protagonistas fueran veterinarios, es muy raro leer esto. La lectura es ligera, rápida, entretenida y con hea asegurado.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest