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

This was a sweet romance novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. I also really enjoyed this as an audiobook!

Such a cozy and cute romance, with dogs, lots of dogs!!!
The descriptions of the cities and regions made me look at Google Maps! I really wanted to know if the lake view was worth buying the apartment, and if the city further inland would be a good place to retire in the future.
The friendships presented are accurate and make you want to know the other characters' stories. Even though it's the second book in a series, spoilers are very minimal, and I intend to read the first book, even though I started with the second.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Marissa Hampton and I really enjoyed the experience.
Thanks NetGalley for the audiobook!

This book is about 2 veterinarians who connected in college, then went separate ways. While attempting to save an animal sanctuary they rekindle their feelings. This story isn’t just about romance, but also knowing who you are, who you want to be, and standing up for yourself. I loved seeing characters from Pardon My Frenchie in this book too. I really hope that the next book Farrah Rochon writes is about Ridley!

Marissa Hampton brought great character to Evie’s voice in the audiobook. I highly recommend listening to this book in audio format.

Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon is an absolute treat—a warm, funny, and heartwarming story that’s impossible to put down. From the first page, Rochon’s charm and wit shine through, making every scene a delight to read.

The characters are relatable and endearing, and the plot strikes the perfect balance between humor, romance, and heartfelt emotion. The pug element adds an extra layer of cuteness that will make animal lovers especially happy, but it’s the relationships—both romantic and platonic—that make this story unforgettable.

If you’re looking for a feel-good read that will lift your spirits and leave you smiling, Pugs and Kisses is the perfect choice.

A good follow up to the first book. It was fun to return to Barkingham Palace. I enjoyed both characters and felt their chemistry was well written and believable.

So fun and cute and sweet and sexy. Perfect balance of story and spice, great characters and a decent plot. The audio narrator is great and I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series now

the way that this book shed light on rescues, pet adoption, and animal shelters has my heart! i'm big on anything related to animal advocacies and to have a book that centered on that theme was just perfect! most of the time, I preferred chapters and scenes where animals were involved (especially with dogs running towards a fountain! iykyk) and the romance aspect took a backseat. my brain had a constant repeat of "just how many chances is she willing to give" 😖 nonetheless it was a fun book! adopt, dont shop y'all! 😋

also just wanted to point out that the audio narrators did a splendid job bringing this book to life! the dual POV narration added more fun to the listening experience given you get to hear the main characters' thoughts in "their" voices.

This was so cute again, like I love the doggies and the romance in this series. I have a great time and the narration is great too.

3.5⭐️
This book was very cute and a perfect light-hearted read for dog lovers. I have to say I wasn’t expecting what had happened in the first few chapters, and it caught me off guard, but it was just the drama that was needed. I enjoyed following along with the storyline, but I must say that the actual romance in it seemed to lack something for me, unless it was how it was narrated, and my mind was making it fall flat. I only say this because I actually really like how different this book and storyline were compared to other contemporary books, but I wasn’t feeling a strong connection between the characters. Overall, I still recommend this book to anyone considering reading this because of how cute it is! AND the dogs in this book!!🥹 Like how freaking cute. I have a little puggy of my own, and every time Evie’s was mentioned, I literally thought of my Chico.🫶

This book starts out with drama from the first chapter and I loved it. This is a really cute romance for dog lovers or just animal lovers in general.

For the audiobook, Marissa Hampton did such a good job! I really enjoyed her performance especially when it came to the more emotional parts of the book. Good audiobook.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I did not realize it was the second book in the series when I originally requested it. It was SO cute and I loved that the romance was important to the story, but it wasn't everything. Still swoooooning over this second chance romance!! Can't wait to pick up the first book in the series.

Second chance romance between accomplished veterinarians on a journey to save the animal rescue that played a part in their career after the FMC leaves a bad relationship ship?? A pining MMC in love with FMC for nearly a decade? All swoon-worthy for my hopeless romantic heart. The narrators did a very well job bringing the characters to life

A delightful second chance for two veterinarians Bryson and Evie. Cute romance filled with lots of dog love and little drama. The MCs get together to save an animal shelter and rekindle what attraction they had when they were younger. The audiobook was the way to go for me, the narrator kept my attention in the story.

I tried this both ebook and audio and I just couldn't get into it at all and its so sad because I enjoy this author so much.

I absolutely loved Pugs & Kisses! The ex-friends-to-lovers romance was sweet, heartfelt, and full of chemistry. Evie and Bryson’s journey from estranged friends to something more felt so natural and satisfying. The adorable dogs, charming New Orleans setting, and themes of forgiveness and second chances made this such a cozy, feel-good read. Perfect for anyone who loves warm, romantic stories with plenty of heart (and pugs!).

So many of the details of this book felt picked just for me. We had New Orleans, we had dogs, we had parents that spend too much time on cruises. It was cute, fun, and just the right amount of touching.
The spice level is a little wild in that there's one incredibly detailed scene in the middle of the book and then not much else. Also, if you're sensitive to pet deaths, don't read this one at work lest you have a full on breakdown. Otherwise, it's an adorable read.

Thank you @forever for the gifted ARC and ALC. I am SO mad at myself for sleeping on this adorable world Farrah has built! This was my first Farrah Rochhan book and I enjoyed it so much!

The story started off as a bit of a trigger for me (ahhh curse everyone’s cheating fiancé!) but quickly picked up in breaking traumatic cycles and choosing self over others. I felt like the chemistry between Evie and Bryson was very slow-burn despite this being a second-chance romance. Their conflict was clear and I enjoyed their journey in overcoming their pasts.

The relationship that I thought was written most powerfully was that between Evie and her mother. I had to pause and collect myself a few times when Evie’s mother said some really toxic things, and I actually appreciated how realistic their resolution to their issues were. In real life, mother-daughter relationships can be extremely messy and they definitely reflected that.

I loved the setting that made my so homesick for New Orleans (I’ve never lived there and have visited for like week lol) but it was so well-written I just couldn’t stop feeling nostalgic. Also, the friendships highlighted in this book were so loveable and fun!

Pugs and Kisses is a heartwarming, light‑hearted adult romance that delivers on sweet canine charm, stirring character arcs, and a rich New Orleans atmosphere. It’s ideal for readers in search of gentle swoon, relatable growth, and a cozy, low‑stakes rescue romance. Despite slight structural hiccups in the final act, the overall journey of Evie and Bryson is tender, hopeful, and memorable. Recommended for fans of uplifting romance, lovable communities, and those who adore shelter dogs almost as much as happy endings

I listened to Pugs and Kisses during a few of my Little Free Library adventures with my two rescued dogs—fitting, since I’m always a sucker for dog-related stories. Farrah Rochon brings a warm, familiar charm to this second-chance romance, and while it had its flaws, there were several elements I deeply appreciated.

Marissa Hampton’s narration was excellent. She brought the characters to life in a way that made the story more immersive, especially during emotionally charged scenes. Her performance helped carry me through some of the book’s slower or unevenly paced moments—particularly in the second half, where I found the momentum dipped just a bit.

The story centers around Evie and Bryson, both veterinarians trying to save an animal shelter while navigating a complicated past. Bryson’s character was frustrating at times—his tendency toward self-sabotage made me want to shake him. Still, I appreciated that his flaws were written with care, even if they made him a challenging romantic lead.

Evie’s relationship with her mother hit closer to home than I expected. It was emotionally resonant in ways that made me pause and reflect. That tension—between the expectations of family and the desire to reclaim one’s autonomy—felt very real.

I also appreciated the presence of Black voice representation in romance. It’s something I value seeing more of in the genre, and it added meaningful depth to the story’s world.

Ultimately, Pugs and Kisses is a story about second chances—in love, in purpose, in believing that the life you want is still possible. It doesn’t shy away from messiness, even when the pacing falters or the emotional payoffs take their time. It’s heartwarming, a bit imperfect, and sometimes that’s exactly what makes it worth reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the advance listening copy.

This story began with a bang! When the female lead, Evelina “Evie” Williams arrives unexpectedly at her home, she encounters her fiancé, Cameron in a compromising position. I will not say anymore about this, but this scene sets the stage for Evie to be free from a relationship that was clearly one-sided. So, what’s a girl to do? The answer came quickly. Evie would seek sanctuary at The Sanctuary, an animal nonprofit where Evie volunteered when she was in veterinary school. That proved to be the best decision that she could have made. Being at The Sanctuary anchored her and got her a dog (Waffles) of her own to love on. It also brought her face-to face with Bryson Mitchell, whom she had not seen in eight years.
Dr. Bryson Mitchell had made quite a reputation for himself since he and Evie’s student days in the Veterinary Medicine program at Louisiana State University. It was an awkward meeting because of the circumstances that led to Bryson’s leaving. I will allow you to discover what happened between the two Vets. As fate would have it, Evie and Bryson get involved in a campaign to save The Sanctuary when private funding dries up. However, both Evie and Bryson have some personal and family issues that that they need to work out for them to have a healthy relationship. I enjoyed their journey as they left the past in the past and embraced a future together. However, I did not get that beautiful and feel-good HEA or HFN for Bryce and Evie in the Epilogue. Instead, it was centered around the new venture Evie was embarking on, and the celebration of a new bar their friends had opened.
I enjoyed reading PUGS AND KISSES even though I came away missing that strong HFN for our leading couple. Nevertheless, I recommend PUGS AND KISSES for your reading pleasure.