When Evie finds her fiancé in her bed with another woman, her life comes crashing down around her. She cannot continue to work at his family's veterinary practice. She stops by the animal shelter where she used to volunteer and runs into her college crush, Bryson. Bryson is back in town as a successful veterinary surgeon. He remembers the relationship that almost was with Evie, which he ruined by making assumptions. Can they work together to save the animal shelter? Can he overcome his assumptions and feelings of inadequacy? Can she work past her insane family?

This is a cute, dog-focused romance. I hated how both characters had small dogs, but then again, as a Great Dane owner, I find small dogs to be basically more obnoxious cats, and that is just my opinion.

The narration was excellent on the audiobook.

Thank you to Net Galley, Hachette Audio, and Forever for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Years after an initial attraction, two successful veterinarians find themselves together again in a race to save the animal rescue that brought them together in the first place.

Set in New Orleans, Farrah Rochon brought the rich culture of the area to life, describing the setting each character came from and where they live and work now – I felt like I was there! She also brought us fun, full-fledged side characters, pets and nemeses. I loved falling in love with these two main characters and seeing them evolve. This book was lighthearted and full of passion from the jump. Super cute.

This was the perfect story for me to listen to while I dealt with a migraine: it was light enough to get me interested but with enough story to keep me hooked. The narrator's voice was the right timbre to soothe my aching head and allow me to listen. I loved getting to know Evie and Bryson as well as checking in with the characters from Barkingham Palace. The chemistry was palpable and the banter was entertaining. I am never a fan of the third act breakup and this one was no exception; it really could have done without. Hoping to get another one in this series.

I received a copy from #NetGalley and #HachetteAudio for an honest review.

Thank you to Farrah Rochon, NetGalley, and the publisher for the chance to listen to this ARC!

3.5 Stars

I really enjoyed the production of this book! I thought Marissa Hampton did a great job giving voice to the story.

Pugs and Kisses is a great summer read (or listen)! This was a cute second chance romance and I loved the pups! Evie and Bryson were so cute together and I really liked their relationship. I wanted both characters to contend a bit more with their backgrounds and the way that they affect their current perspectives and relationships. I also thought that this story wrapped up a little quickly, but I definitely enjoyed the ending and the HEA!

4⭐
OH! What an adorable second-chance romance between two dog-lovers! Genuinely did not think I'd enjoy it as much as I did, but definitely ate this up!
So cute, loved!

**Also, I was unaware this book was part of a series, so let me get my hands on book #1 real quick.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Let me start by saying, Bryson is ALL green flags ✅✅✅✅

Pug and Kisses is the second book in the Doggone Delightful series. While you don't need to read this in sequential order, there are reoccurring characters from the first book, which I loved. But don't worry the author does a great job of summarizing what happen in the first book when mentioning these characters. Speaking of the author, Farrah Rochon is one of my favorite auto read authors. Everything she writes is going to be fun and a good time. And this book was no exception!

Funny, a second chance love, and DOGS! Pugs and kisses was a fun and cute read! I cannot wait for the next edition in the series. 🤭

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Evie Williams thought she had settled into the perfect life with her dream veterinary job working with picture perfect fiancé but when she catches him in bed with someone else it blows up her career and love life in one fell swoop.

To make matters worse, the animal shelter she used to volunteer at is on the verge of collapse and the guy she worked at the shelter with who she had it bad for before he ghosted her is back to watch it all implode. But Bryson never forgot Evie and he’s determined to get her to give him a second chance.

I absolutely devoured this audiobook. I love a book that features a fmc in STEM and I adored Evie so much. Her character growth is phenomenal as she goes from who she thought she was supposed to be to who she wants to be. The relationship with her mom was such an emotional roller coaster but it was nice to see how it evolved with her changing perspective on her life.

Bryson was such an interesting character because on one hand he has it all but yet he still has this inferiority complex that he almost lets destroy everything. It took him a minute but once he became self aware he put in the work to win Evie back but also to address that deep rooted insecurity that led him to hurt her the first time.

I missed the first book in the series so I’m eager to go back and pick it up because I really enjoyed this friend group and I hope we get a chance to see all their HEAs.

If you like right person wrong time, second chance romance with lots of character growth and absolutely adorable doggos then I think you’ll enjoy this one too. I highly recommend checking out the audio because I think Marissa Hampton did a fantastic job bringing this story to life.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the Advanced Listener's Copy of Pugs and Kisses.

Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon is an absolute delight! I fell in love with this story from the very beginning. The adorable pug mix totally stole my heart, but what really impressed me were the deeper, more serious plot lines that gave the book so much heart and emotional depth.

Farrah Rochon strikes the perfect balance between charm and substance. This isn’t just a cute romance (though it’s definitely that too); it’s a meaningful, heartfelt story that stays with you.

The title drew me in... A good novelty beach/vacation read, especially for dog lovers.

Great opening scene as well. Unfortunately the book was a little slower after that. It did have some discussion about class within the black race, and parental pressure and expectations in the upper-middle class, even in adulthood.

This novel is as much an ode to Louisiana as it is to dogs. You can tell that author truly loves both.

Would be interested in reading the 3rd friend's story.

4 stars

This was a cute romance for dog lovers. I love a good second chance romance and this one did not disappoint. This book starts off with a bang and you are ready to fight for the FMC Evie from page one. Evie is a veterinarian and now I want to read all the veterinarian books! I ate this book up.

The audio was amazing and the narrators really brought the book to life.

Thank you to Hatchette Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.

Pugs and Kisses is the perfect romance for all us furbaby loving peeps! And if you don't love a furbaby: 1) Are you ok? 2) there is still so much second-chance romance for you!

I absoloutely adored this book about two vets and their second chance. Things I love: furbabies, romance with some real-life emotional storyline, and a really good male MC with swoon. This book has all that and more!

The audiobook was so well done by the narrators and made it that much more fun and impactful. It was hilarious and emotional. I would definitely recommend listening to this one.

The only reason that this book is not rated higher for me is because I felt like the HEA was rushed at the end. Now this is a personal preference, which may not bug you and cetainly should not deter you from reading. I loved how the hard things the characters were going through were really given justice in the plot. Plus did I mention furbabies?!

Overall, I have always enjoyed everything that this author has written and this was no acception. It has so many things that us romance lovers, well, love! Definitely going to be suggesting this one to all of my fellow romance readers.

Farrah Rochon is an auto-buy author for me ever since I read The Dating Playbook. In Pugs and Kisses, we are back in New Orleans loving dogs and seeing love rekindled between Evie Williams and Bryson Mitchell. They went through vet school together, had crushes and a few hot make-out sessions, but never went forward into a relationship. With Evie's engagement cancelled and a vet teaching hospital integral to their training about to be closed down, Evie and Bryson join together to save the vet hospital. As they get to know the new versions of themselves, their feelings that were never resolved start to bubble to the surface.

I listened to this via audiobook, thanks to Hachette Audio, and absolutely loved Marissa Hampton narration. If you happened to listen to The Hook-Up Plan, another book by Rochon, she also narrated that story. While Pugs & Kisses is light on the steam, I love the storytelling she incorporated into the story. I don't always need a steamy romance if I have great storytelling, which is what I get with this story. Having loveable dogs in a romance also doesn't hurt.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

OK so I was worried about nothing with this book. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first one, which was unfortunate because I loved the cover and I loved the synopsis. So I was worried to get to the second book, but I didn’t have to be. This one is heavy, but good. And there’s more focus on the dogs, so basically I loved it lol

OK so the plot of this was what got me so invested. I loved the conflict between her and her mother. It was so real. Mothers never realize how damaging this might be. I loved the way she stood up to her too. It didn’t feel real her being like “Ok fine.” at the end, but I think it was still better than nothing. Them losing the clinic tho was so sad. I was a little pissed at Bryson for giving up before they had really gotten started. It was just weird. He didn’t seem like he wanted to be there?

But the characters themselves were cool. And they were so good together. Bryson seemed to turn up at the worst times, but they were good for her. LIke that time when she was walking out with her stuff after she quit? Lol I thought it was hilarious. I also liked Bryson and how real he was. That whole situation about how he didn’t feel he was good enough for her? I’ve seen that happen in real time. I felt so bad for him and I was hoping she was there to help hype him up so he doesn’t feel that way again. Because she and her feelings mean something, but so do his.

And can I just say how good it was to see this Black man and woman as vets. He really made me think of that dude on TikTok. I’m so proud of both of them and I don’t even know them lol This book was what I wished the first one was. I will definitely be using this in my book rec blerd romances for later lol

I'm a firm believer in a second chance romance following a specific recipe, one that actually makes it believable that these two characters are able to communicate and move past their past shared experience as adults- this book was NOT that.

Evie and Bryson are teaming up to help save the animal clinic they both worked at eight years ago, when they were still together, before their entire relationship went up in a roaring dumpster fire.
They unfortunately were able to move on from whatever this past slight was in the blink of an eye. Going from exes who haven't spoken in years to IMMEDIATELY flirting without hinting at any of the drama that led to their breakup. All leading me to think... why did they even break up in the first place? What was SOOOO bad that they decided they no longer wanted to be together when the second they're in the same room there is immediate chemistry?
Chemistry I did not know was possible when Bryson has 0 personality outside of thinking about Evie's ass and bending her over an exam table.

I'm not going to touch upon the fact that this woman walked in on her fiance cheating on her and seemed to be okay about it two pages later (they were together for 10 YEARS and she just says "fuck him" and starts flirting it up with the next guy??? I find it hard to believe.)

Overall two stars, bonus points for all the cute dogs.

This is the second book in the Doggone Delightful series! The first book Pardon My Frenchie was super cute! So I was excited to read this one! Pugs and Kisses was just as cute! It can be read as a standalone, but characters from the first book make an appearance and I always enjoy when that happens! This was a sweet, lighthearted romance. The story does deal with some heavier topics including family drama, class structure, and cheating. My only issues with some of the topics brought up, so that they never really felt resolved. The third act breakup didn’t feel necessary to the story either.

The second chance romance between Evie and Bryson was sweet. They were a couple I could root for! I loved that they were both veterinarians! So many references to their dogs and the sweet animal rescue they worked at!

If you’re looking for a sweet romance with references to New Orleans and rescue dogs, then I definitely recommend reading this book!

I’ve loved everything Farrah has written, and this was no exception. It was sweet, sexy, hopeful, and fun. It’s about wanting to accomplish something on your own and not being ashamed of where you come from. I desperately need the third one!!!

Pugs and Kisses is a cute romance that goes a lot deeper than it looks. Cheating, family issues, living up to parental expectations, missed chances and more are all covered in this book. I loved seeing the journey the main characters went on from discovering what went wrong and how they misunderstood each other before ultimately coming together. Also, can things really go wrong when you throw a cute little pug into the mix?

This book made me CRAVE a trip to New Orleans! The incredible food featured in this book was absolutely mouth watering!

The audiobook was produced wonderfully. I think the narrator did a great job of making the story feel dynamic. Even listening at a higher speed, everything was clear and easy to understand.

I think that this was a fantastic second chance romance, although the third act break up really bothered me. It felt like Bryson had way more work to do than was mentioned in the book. But I did appreciate the culminating scene of the entire book. It was fun, but I would’ve liked to have spent more time there. It just felt a little rushed to me.

I loved seeing all the pups featured in this book, however, I would’ve liked to see them a little bit more. Just wanted Waffles to be more of a main character like he deserves.

Overall, I felt like this was a sweet romance read! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a book with a strong setting, sweet moments, and several good pups!

Farrah Rochon is definitely one of my top 10 favorite romance authors.

Pugs and Kisses was a beautiful love story. I was deeply moved by the strength of the main character—how she navigated the heartbreak of her fiancé’s betrayal, endured the painful breakup, and slowly found herself again. Her journey of rediscovery, resilience, and self-love was inspiring.

What I love most about this story is its message: never hold back, and always believe in yourself, no matter what others may think or say.

Thank you, Farrah Rochon, for writing such a powerful and hopeful story. In times of struggle, everyone deserves a reminder that love, healing, and second chances are still possible.

Pugs and kisses
Appreciate trigger warning
Evie FMC vet
Cheated on by fiancé

Love the narrator but would have liked a dual one

Thank you NetGalley, Farrah Rochon, and Hachette Audio for this ALC. This was great a listen, I enjoyed the narrator a lot they have a voice that makes for easy listening.

The story focuses on Evie a vet who runs into some relationship troubles in the form of a cheating fiance; that leads her back down a path she’s travelled before. Evie finds herself back at the rescue she once volunteered at in vet school and this leads to her running back into an old flame who is also there to volunteer. What transpires is an exploration of not so forgotten feelings and desires. Set in NOLA the cast of characters is very diverse and allows for a fun setting.

The trigger warning of pet death is appreciated but luckily isn’t very detailed nor is it a traumatic on page occurrence.