Colorado K-9 Rescue
Kathleen Donnelly
September 30, 2025

In the Victorian Mountains in Colorado, McKenna Parker watched the evening role in. Her service dog, Mocha, is always by her side. She likes to think she is safe in her new home. Her job in Denver as a victim specialist gets her out of the office with her K-9 to comfort people who have been victimized. Mocha snuggles up to a person suffering to make them feel at ease and ready to talk with the FBI agent to describe events. McKenna’s first case with her new boss. Agent Evan Knox. is to help find two girls who have been reported missing. She and her K-9 help the families of the teens by asking questions and getting to know them. Knox takes over with real inquiries about where the duo may have gone.
Colorado K-9 Rescue will be published by Harlequin on September 30, 2025. I was able to read Donnelly’s latest novel via NetGalley. It is an excellent suspense adventure, a total page turner. Agent Knox leads the team trying to find the kidnapper who took the girls. This is a great lazy day to read.

Mckenna Parker’s worst fear has become a reality—her kidnapper is out on parole. Two new girls have been abducted, and she’s certain it’s the same man. Now working for the FBI as a victim specialist with her canine partner Mocha, Mckenna finds herself drawn into the case. FBI agent Evan Knox is leading the investigation and doesn’t want her involved. However, Mckenna confides in Evan that she’s unsure if the man convicted in her case was truly her abductor. She’s being followed, her home is broken into, and as she and Evan work closely together, their bond grows stronger.

Terrific romantic suspense. More suspense than romance. The romance is there, but it seems too convenient. Love the dog. Kept having to remind myself that Mocha was a black lab. Seems as if he should have been a different color. Not that it matters anyway. Enjoyed reading about a capable woman, especially one that had been through so much. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

First book in a new series by this author set in Colorado. Evan Hunt FBI Special Agent has recently moved to the Denver office. They respect his work and tireless energy, but he is known as a grump.
McKenna Parker is a Victim Specialist for the FBI, along with her K-9 dog Mocha. She is especially attuned to kidnapping and trafficking. She was a victim of a kidnapping and near fatal assault nine years ago. After her recovery, she found her life’s work. Mocha is a failed FBI K-9 officer that McKenna adopted and has become a successful therapy dog. Her convicted kidnapper was recently released from prison, and her old fears are coming back.
Evan and McKenna have a work relationship, that’s good and bad. He thinks her dog is poorly trained, and doesn’t see the need for Victim Specialists. McKenna agrees with office gossip that is grumpy and standoffish.
They end up working a new case together when 2 young women disappear, with a lot of similar characteristics from her own experience.

The romance is slow burning, the suspense tight, and the characters are entertaining. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

How does one get past a traumatic life experience? That’s what McKenna Parks is doing in Kathleen Donnelly’s “Colorado K-9 Rescue”. After being kidnapped nine years ago, McKenna is now a victim specialist for the FBI with her crisis K-9, a black lab, Mocha. When two 19 year old girls go missing, McKenna and Mocha assist FBI Special Agent Evan Knox to find them and the person(s) who abducted them. Things get interesting when McKenna finds out that the circumstances of her kidnapping and those of the two girls are strikingly similar.

This is a well written, fast paced romantic suspense. The details of a K-9’s life, training and experiences have an authentic vibe. The situations and emotions of the victims have a realistic feel. One can relate to the fun loving, invincible mindsets of teenagers/young adults. Readers who like romantic suspense with a feel good ending will enjoy this book.

I want to thank Harlequin Romance for the electronic copy of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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An absolute page-turner! Fantastic storytelling with the perfect blend of romance, suspense, and action. Loved the HEA. Recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Colorado K-9 Rescue, the first in a new series from Kathleen Donnelly. I've read her other series, which also features an adorable working K-9.
In this one, the protagonist, McKenna Parker, works for the FBI as a victim specialist. Mocha, her crisis canine, was trained as a tracker but flunked out. However, the black Lab found his niche as a therapy dog and became a devoted pet to McKenna.
When the story opens, she's assigned to help with a kidnapping case. McKenna was abducted eight years earlier, and the man convicted of kidnapping her was recently released from prison. As McKenna and Mocha help the surviving victim tell her story to FBI special agent Evan Knox, McKenna realizes that many of the details of the teen's abduction are similar to her own. She and Even start to believe maybe the same man is at it again. However, to complicate matters, evidence suggests that perhaps the wrong man was punished for the crime.
Working together on the case, McKenna and Evan fall in love. This story has all the tropes of romantic suspense. It's told in third person in alternating points of view, so we see the angst of each: enemies to lovers, the misunderstandings that threaten to rip them apart, the fear of expressing feelings that might not be reciprocated, etc. It gets a bit spicy in one scene.
The mystery and suspense part is well-constructed. I correctly suspected the villain, but a lot of readers will be surprised.
The ending was satisfying, and who couldn't love Mocha? Recommended for readers of romantic suspense and dog lovers.

This was a fun read! I loved it, The new characters are so enjoyabke and interesting. I didn´t expect that plot twist. 10/10 Thanks for this ARC

Colorado K-9 Rescue is a fast-paced, action-packed romantic thriller with all the suspense, tension, and anxiety expected in the book. I loved the setting and the characters, especially Mocha. Mckenna, having survived a kidnapping when she was 18, works as a victim’s specialist for the FBI alongside her therapy dog, Mocha. Evan is a special agent for the FBI working out of the same office in Denver. In their individual capacities, they are enlisted to help two families after their daughters go missing. The chemistry between Evan and Mckenna is electric, keeping it hard for them to stay professional. The mystery of who the kidnapper is, kept me guessing throughout the book making it difficult to put down. I look forward to the promise of more to come.

Colorado K-9 Rescue centers around McKenna, a victim advocate for the FBI, and her lovable canine companion, Mocha. Having experienced her own trauma at 18, McKenna truly understands the overwhelming feelings that comes with being a victim in the presence of police and media.

The introduction of Agent Evan Knox adds an interesting dynamic to the narrative. He’s not only striking but also carries a serious demeanor, seemingly devoid of small talk. Their relationship takes a compelling turn as they get involved in a kidnapping case involving two young women a case that resonates deeply with McKenna’s past.

As the investigation unfolds, the tension between McKenna and Agent Knox grows, making for an intense and intriguing storyline. I was thoroughly
engaged from start to finish!

Colorado K-9 Rescue is a great start to what promises to be a captivating and intriguing series. It was intense, had plenty of twists, and kept me riveted. I felt like the romance between McKenna and Evan was a bit forced, but I really felt the chemistry between the two of them and like the relationship they are developing. The suspense was palpable and the suspense of panic was striking. Overall, the book was very good and is an exciting start to a new series. I very much look forward to the next book when it comes out.

ColoradoK-9 Rescue by Kathleen Donnelly is fast-paced, page-turning action. Discovering who the kidnapper is kept the story interesting for me. Some racy scenes in the story had me skipping pages as I had not anticipated it and prefer not to read open-door scenes. Good plot otherwise.

Releases Sept. 30th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Holy cow this story will have you on the edge of your seat — especially the second half!! Good amount of twists and turns in this Harlequin romantic suspense novel.

You can’t help but admire McKenna and the strength it takes to overcome her abduction and then turn that experience around to help others. Not only b autofill on the outside but just as much inner beauty. I really liked Evan not just because he’s strong and handsome but despite being a man career focused. I actually applaud him for at least being honest about it - not only to himself but clearly didn’t hide it from others.

Chemistry was good with the characters. An open door romance but not overly detailed, was written respectfully, and author did a good job orchestrating the desire, attraction and connection to each other. No crude or foul language. The K-9 character, Mocha, was an enjoyable character. The romance could’ve had a little more depth/growth to get to know one another better but overall I am satisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance for the advance copy of the book. All my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Colorado K 9 Rescue is a well written romantic suspense. Great plot and character dynamics. Friends of suspense will enjoy this book.

Though it has been a while, McKenna is still not Over her kidnapping. She has dedicated herself to helping other victims and their families as part of an FBI program to help those in need. Along with her faithful lab, Mocha, Mckenna works to help and families cope with all that comes with a kidnapping. In this case, McKenna and Mocha work with a grouchy agent, Evan Knox, when two girls are abducted. In the past, McKenna has sworn not to work with Agent Knox but now finds herself in the midst of an investigation along with the agent. As one of the kidnapped girls, tells her story, McKenna sees close similarities to her own tale. To make matters worse, the man the authorities found perpetrated her kidnapping has recently been released from jail, so very well could be behind the incident. As time goes n McKenna and Agent Knox work diligently to figure out what happened, while, at the same time, their close work results in a budding but strong personal relationship. As the investigation continues with Agent Knox and McKenna following various leads and ideas, some of which are helpful and others that lead to nowhere, just more questions, they both begin to realize and appreciate the strengths of each other with their relationship growing stronger and stronger, until it all culminates in a surprise ending and closure. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope to read more in this series in the future. I enjoyed seeing Mocha in action as well as the two other characters. I highly recommend this book. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

I cut my teeth in the romance genre so I was so excited that I got approved for an arc for this book! Thank you!

McKenna was such a strong character? A survivor of a kidnapping when she was a teenager, she turned that into doing work for the FBI, which led to her meeting agent Evan Knox. They started working on a case together with similarities to her case. While working together they got closer and fell in love.

This was a good story, a bit of angst with just a tiny amount of spice.

Mckenna still hasn't overcome her own kidnapping but has dedicated herself to helping other survivors deal with the aftermath. Working with the FBI and her dog, Mocha, her first interaction with the grouchy and cold Agent Knox is when Mocha eats his sandwich. She hopes she never has to work with him. Of course when two girls are kidnapped, she is assigned to work with him.

As the one survivor, Lily, tells her story of what happened, Mckenna relives her own experience as so many of the details match. Two weeks prior to this new kidnapping, the man found guilty of her kidnapping is paroled. Only Mckenna never really believed it was him. Now she and Agent Knox have to find him and try to put the pieces together.

Donnelly crafted a believable, practical character who continues to be strong and fight her own battles in Mckenna. Similarly, Agent Knox's character is well-developed. This is well-written, excellently paced to keep this reader's interest, with tension and romance intermingled with the suspense. Donnelly did a great job of weaving the romance with the danger. I didn't figure out the kidnapper. Besides, who couldn't love a K-9 therapy dog like Mocha?

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Lots of twist and turns, and a good first novel of a new series. McKenna. a victims advocate and her therapy dog Mocha are on a new case with striking similarities to ,McKenna own case 8 years prior. Sparks fly with the agent assigned to the case, and it will take all of Evan, McKenna, and Mocha's skills to bring the madman to justice..

I had thoroughly enjoyed the previous 3 books in this wonderful series featuring K-9 dogs, so it was a treat to get to read this new installment. I love author Kathleen Donnelly's amazing writing style...she is quite the storyteller!

It was great to catch up with protagonist McKenna, but I have to say that for me, Mocha, the dog was the star of the book. After being dismissed from the FBI, he became a grief dog. Character development was excellent, and the locale descriptions made me feel like I was there.

This book had more than one story to tell. One was very intense and sinister, so I was on pins and needles many times...it was indeed intense! Then there was also a romantic story, which was fun to read.

I am happy to say that it all ended well, which was most satisfying for me,

Thank you, Net Galley, and Harlequin Romantic Suspense for making an advance readers' copy available for me to read and review. I also thank Kathleen Donnely for writing such entertaining books!

Unfortunately I have DNF'd this book at 15%. I found the dialogue to be strangely disjointed and inauthentic. They would be amicable and suddenly he'd be telling her to stay away from him and "do whatever it is you do". He also multiple times called her a female, which is a pet peeve of mine. She's a woman, not a female. I was also irritated by the number of times he thought something was wrong with him and he needed to get a grip, simply because he noticed her. He said he liked her laughing rather than serious and followed it up with "he really needed to get a grip". Wanting someone, anyone, to smile and laugh is literally the bare minimum.