I loved Pardon My Frenchie and had high hopes for Pugs & Kisses, which were exceedingly met. There is something about this universe that Farrah Rochon has created with these characters that is so fun and so endearing to me. The people and the dogs alike are so easy to love.

This time around we had a second chance for veterinarian Evie (best friend of Ashanti from PMF) and fellow vet clinic volunteer of eight years ago, Bryson. I could tell from the first chapter that I was going to love Evie. Her life had turned upside down to kick off the book and she still managed to make me laugh with the way she thought about and handled things. As soon as Bryson entered the picture I knew I was in for a second chance I’d be rooting for. The two of them had a history that never really got a full-fledged first chance but neither had ever completely moved past the “what-if” of it all, even through relationships with others. I could feel that they had that “something” that kept them connected and carried the idea of their past being a “right person, wrong time” situation — mostly thanks to Bryson having his own insecurities and internalized feelings about his place in Evie’s world to work through. They were better suited after time to mature and grow, and I really appreciated the straightforward conversations they were able to have, a level of communication that wasn’t there when they were vet school students.

There were a lot of other layers to the story when it came to family relationships and with navigating the differences in expectations and pressures experienced at either end of the socioeconomic spectrum. There was thoughtful discussion and ample character growth and strength shown as the story moved along. All of that plus a feel-good save the day fundraising effort to root for made this such an enjoyable read for me.

I had the audiobook along with the ebook for this one and loved the narration. Marissa Hampton did a wonderful job. The story is dual third person POV and I was always able to tell if we were meant to be in Evie’s head or Bryson’s with the subtlest shift in her tone between them. It felt natural and crisp, and I was thoroughly impressed by her performance.

Before I wrap it up, I have to add that I’d love to get a book for Ridley and Von. The little morsels of a story between them has me so interested in the *more* they could be.

Thank you to Forever for the eARC and Hachette Audio for the ALC, both via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Good writing but foul language, Way too graphic sex (Not closed door) and unresolved themes.
I didn't know this was a series, so I was annoyed that the sub-plot character ( her girlfriend) that was discussed and interacted with throughout the book was just suddenly left hanging at the end of the book, presumably for the next book. I don't like soap operas for the same reason.
The foul language seemed inappropriate for professionals and didn't move the plot forward. Neither did the gratuitous, steamy sex. They stayed over at each other's houses. I get the point without having to be drawn a verbal picture! I think that without it there would have been room for more plot development, maybe even to flesh out and finish the story.
But it seems, from other reviews, that these issues were not an issue for them. So if those kinds of things are not an issue for you, I think that you will enjoy this book. The plot is unique and interesting enough to give it 4 stars, and overall I will recommend this book. But I think that the publisher and NetGalley should note these things to warn the reader, Just as they warn about such things as Christian, Same Sex, Violence, etc.
Still I was glad to be given the opportunity to listen to this recording and thank Hachette Audio/Forever and NetGalley for the ALC.
The narrator is really good, does male voices well, with unique voices for every character, and overall is very pleasant to listen to. The Production was excellent as well. I will be looking for more recordings from Marissa Hampton and Hachette Audio/Forever. Really great job!

This book was just okay for me. It had a light, cute premise, but honestly, it probably would’ve been a DNF if it hadn’t been an ARC. I struggled to connect with the characters, and the chemistry between Bryson and Evie felt lacking. Bryson’s tendency to project his own insecurities onto Evie’s choices and lifestyle came off as a red flag, making it hard for me to see him as a good match for her. Because I wasn’t invested in the romance, the heart of the story didn’t land the way I’d hoped.

Despite not loving the book, I did really enjoy the crispness and clarity of the audio, and how seamlessly the narrator executed multiple voices to fit the characters and bring the book to life.

Loved it! This was such a sweet story that was also super realistic with regular every day issues and challenges which I appreciate. Vets and Animal Sanctuaries…yess. Perfect romance for those dog lovers as they focus on saving a dog sanctuary + making a difference. :) Minimal spice, this was focused on healing + creating a new life/goals.

I was lucky to get an advanced listening copy of the audio book and the narration was great. This comes out July 15th make sure to snag a copy. I will be grabbing my own to sit next to her other book Pardon my Frenchie that I read last year and loved.

Audio Review

Pugs and Kisses was such a feel good romance with a bit of drama and lots of funny moments. I loved it. I loved the female friendships. I loved the banter between them and they way they went hard for each other. Their conversations had me laughing out loud countless times. I loved the romance. I loved the slow burn of it all and the tension between Evie and Bryson. Theirs was a sweet, cute and sexy story that I completely adored and most definitely recommend. The narrator, Marissa Hampton did a good job of bringing these characters to life. I especially loved how she did Bryson's Cajun accent and voiced his parts. I applaud her and the rest of the production team for a job well done.

This was so cute and I loved all the dogs! The narrator did a great job of bringing the characters to life. I do widh their was a male narrator, but I think the audiobook was done very nicely! It was a fun addition of all the little tidbits from Pardon my frenchie, the first book in the series. I liked that this was a second chance romance, so the characters already had quite a bit of history. Although, I think it was a slow build up of their history together which made it feel like the reader was a little left in the dark for a while. However, I still think they had a great connection that was easy and this book was just overall cute and fun. A perfectly sweet palate cleanser!

Thank you to Netgalley & Hachette Audio| Forever for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This book kicked off with a bang and immediately pulled me in.

This story follows Evie, a veterinarian that walked in on her boyfriend cheating on her. After leaving his family veterinarian clinic & going back to the rescue where she began her career, she finds out that the rescue is at risk of being closed down. In comes Bryson, our MMC, who Evie has a heated past with. Bryson left shortly after experiencing a heated summer with Evie 8 years ago and in the process he broke Evie’s heart.

What I Loved:
second-chance romance
cute dogs
hilarious friends

Evie’s friends are absolutely hilarious and anytime they were in a scene I found myself cackling.

I think the narrator did an amazing job & truly made all the difference in the story.

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio | Forever for the free alc. My opinions are being left voluntarily. I really loved this book.i felt rather the covid parts felt a bit repetitive but otherwise absolutely perfect.the narrators did an outstanding job and the story was so so well done.i missed reading book 1 but absolutely will go back and read it. Such a fun book. Loved all the dog discussions and the side characters were also super fun!

Suggest giving it a try

4.5/5☆

Ok, Pugs and Kisses was so freaking adorable! This was my first read/listen by Farrah Rochon, but I am a fan!

Thank you so much Hachette Audio/Forever and Netgalley for the ALC, this was fantastic!

First of all thank you to Farrah Rochon, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me early access to this audiobook! All opinions in this review are my own.

I loved this book!

Its about Evie a vet who dumps her bitching cheating lying ex fiance.
She leaves his animal clinic to go to the rescue she once started at.
Only to find her other ex Bryson in the rescue and to hear everything is falling apart...

This book was short and sweet. There were many dogs included into the story and that made this so much better. Bryson his parents are also absolutely amazing!!

I absolutely loved this book!

I grew up across the lake from New Orleans (but visiting constantly), and reading about a town that you love is just an extra special experience. You can feel Farrah’s love for her city and her characters in her writing, and you will immediately love them too!

Thank you to the author + Hachette for my advance copy!

title: Pugs and Kisses

author: Farrah Rochon

publisher: Forever

publication date: July 15, 2025

pages: 352

peppers: 3 (on this scale)

warnings: pet death

summary: Finding her fiancé cheating on her is problematic for Evie Williams because she works at his clinic. After leaving her job, she goes to volunteer at the animal sanctuary she interned at in vet school, only to find that it's not financially sound. Her mentor brings her in to help save the place, but he also brings in the love of her life, who ghosted her eight years ago.

tropes:

second-chance romance
work together for a common cause
great friends
horrible ex
finding the fiancé with another woman
cute dogs
different backgrounds
unlikeable parents

what I liked:

lots of cute animals
clear insecurities about class differences
fun dialogue
great friends

what I didn’t like:

predictable (I don't mean just that it has a happy ending. I know that's a given. I mean that the way things worked out and the conflicts they faced seemed given.)

overall rating: 4 (of 5 stars)

second chance trope, it's short and features two black vets.
it's cute but nothing groundbreaking. also don't care for the narration either.

What a cute read! I haven't read anything like this. It was a happy, second change rom-com. Narrators did a fantastic job! Great Story

ARC and ALC review

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

I received an ARC from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and an ALC from Hachette Audio (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 miscommunication that kept them apart 10 years ago, I think that they needed the time apart to be ready for this relationship.
This is a "right man, wrong time" situation as they were not mature enough before (especially him).
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 just needed to comunicate better.

Overall there was a good romance plot, they had chemistry and also worked well together.

The audiobook is narrated by Marissa Hampton.
She has a very nice voice and I think that she did a good job bringing Evie's personality to life.
The story is told in 3rd person with dual perspectives.
It would have been better if there was also a male narrator for Bryson's chapters.
It felt like there was not enough difference between the male and female voice.

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

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

The narrator did an amazing job!
It really brought the characters to life and made the expirence super enjoyable.

4.25 stars
Pugs and Kisses makes me want to go to my local shelter and adopt a dog immediately! This is second chance romance about two veterinarians who, 8 years later, find themselves going back to the place they use to volunteer/do some clinical time at and reconnect after finding it’s going under.
I loved Bryson! He is basically famous among the veterinarian world. A hotshot surgical vet who has come home and is staying. He has always had a thing/loved our FMC Evie! Evie we find is just getting out of a long term relationship when she finds her partner in bed with another woman..
I loved the dogs in this story. I loved that they fight to keep the clinic open. It was a fast read and my first from Farrah Rochon but most definitely not my last! I see there is a whole bunch in Farrah’s backlog that I am interested in and will be checking out!
The audio was great. Though it is only one narrator I feel like they did a fantastic job. Doing both female and male parts, even though I have been listening to a lot of full cast duet and dual narrations lately this was refreshing to listen to and I 100 percent want to listen to more of Marrisa Hampton’s work!

Thank you to Hachette Audios for the complementary Aduio copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the audio ARC!

4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧

First of all I loved this book! The audio was great the narrator did a great job I’ve never listened to a book by her but I enjoyed her alot.

The story. Ugh I loved it. This was my first book by this author will not be my last! I loved the second chance love with dogs mixed it!! Win win!

This was a light-hearted second chance romance between two dog lovers and vets who find themselves reunited in New Orleans after one catches her fiance cheating on her. Cute and short, this was entertaining but not my favorite in the series. Recommended for fans of authors like Denise Williams, Jasmine Guillory or Stefanie London. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.