This was a cute and cosy romance story.

I liked Evie’s character, how she discovered herself and her assertiveness.

Bryson really annoyed me, it felt like he was one of those guys who are angry with rich people for being rich…bro she likes you what else do you want. He was a jerk in some chapters.

I didn’t like how Bryson’s issue with his parent wasn’t addressed while Evie’s was kinda sorted.

Overall, it was a really cozy read and I enjoyed it.

Thank you Netgalley, Forever audio Arc in exchange for my honest review

🎧 Audiobook +📗 E-book: Pugs and Kisses

✍🏾 Author: Farrah Rochon-I read Pardon My Frenchie and gave it 4 ⭐

📃Page Count: 352

📅Publication date: 7-15-25 | Read: 7-13-25

🏃🏾‍➡️Run Time: 7:56

🌎 Setting: New Orleans

👆🏾POV: 3rd person dual

Genre: AA Interests, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fic

Tropes: childhood crush, pet friendly, 2nd chance romance, friends to lovers, family drama, workplace romance

⚠️TW: death of a pet, cheating-on h, toxic parents, classism, miscarriage-just mentioned, past-H

🗣️Narrator: Marissa Hampton voices all the characters with standouts from Evie, Bryson, and Ashanti. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.

Summary: After Evie breaks up with her on-again off-again fiancé Cameron, she leaves her job at Maple Street Animal Shelter. She wants something more from life and weighs her options. She volunteers at The Sanctuary where she reunites with Bryson. They met eight years ago and became mutually attracted, but Bryson left town without explanation. He moves back in town as a veterinary surgeon, and along with Evie helps to save their local animal shelter.

👩🏾 Heroine: Evelina "Evie" Williams- veterinarian, went to LSU vet school w/ Bryson.

👨🏾 Hero: Bryson Mitchell-veterinarian surgeon with a new job at an Animal Surgical Center in Southeast LA.

🎭 Side Characters:
* Cameron Broussard-Evie's ex-fiancé owns the Maple Street practice where she works. He was lab partners w/ Bryson @ LSU.
* Dr. Constance Williams + cheating father + Marshall -Evie's parents and older brother- disapproved of her going to vet school. Her mom wanted her to be a cardiologist like her.
* Bryson's parents-from the "wrong side of the swamp"
* Ashanti/Thad-MC from PMF/Evie's BFF, owns Barkingham Palace doggy daycare
* Dr. Frederick Landry-opened the Sanctuary
* Ridley-Evie's BFF
*Von Montgomery-Thad's BFF
*Derrick Coleman-went to school with Bryson, a fellow vet.
*Pets: Bella (Bryson's rescue) and Waffles (Evie's rescue)

🤔 My Thoughts: I felt the warm and fuzzies reading about Evie, Bryson, and the doggies Bella and Waffles. From reminiscing about their childhood crush and falling in love, Bryson returned to set Evie's world upside down. Bryson was from a poor family, and he let it keep them apart. Evie's parents were successful doctors and only through basketball was Bryson able to elevate. Their love for each other and the Sanctuary was endearing, and I can't wait for Ridley and Von's story!

*Emotion: 4/5 🥲
*Couple: 4/5 🧑‍🤝‍🧑
*Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever, Hachette Audio | Forever, and Farrah Rochon for this ARC & ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

4.5⭐️ Super cute and with great flow. I loved the setting of New Orleans and wish there was a bit more history thrown in. The romance was wonderful and believable. Second chance romance is always at the top of my tropes list.
5⭐️ narration from Marissa Hampton. Fantastic variation between characters which helped me really connect with their story. Especially since there are characters in Evie’s and Bryson’s pov.

Evie is done. For real this time. She finally kicked Cameron out; and after so many years together, she expected to be more sad. It’s a strange mix of feelings. She always loved going to the animal shelter. So, why not focus of some puppies instead of her heartbreak.

Bryson is back in town, and ready to help his old mentor at the animal shelter. What he doesn’t expect is to find Evie. Especially, single. He screwed up once, and know he is a man worthy of her. Bryson won’t let her slip away again if he can’t help it.

Thank you @netgalley, @grandcentralpub, @hachetteaudio, and @farrahrochon for the advanced reader and listener copies.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

This is a feel good romance that is both heartfelt and funny, if you love dogs add to your TBR now. I love seeing a FMC that knows her worth and won’t settle for less, you go girl! I liked the storyline and how these MCs come together again 8 years later and connect on the level they do. It was all woven together beautifully. Swoony perfection!

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Evie is a veterinarian she works with her fiancée at the family practice and helps at her friend’s doggie daycare. Life is going good or so she thought. Evie just walked in on her fiancée cheating on her. So she escaped to the one place she has always found peace, the animal rescue.

She has been so busy she hasn’t been there in over a year. When she gets there it surprises her to find her old college crush Bryson who is a famous veterinarian surgeon volunteering.

Bryson was shocked to see Evie, she was the girl who always got away. He assumed she was married by now but luck has it, he may finally get his shot. He will need to take it slow as Evie is not ready for more yet, so he will swoon her.

Follow this vet duo as they team up to help save the Animal Rescue. There will be adorable doggie dates in New Orleans, Fundraisers to help save the animals and so much southern charm.

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:

“Evie Williams I have been waiting for this moment for nearly a decade. I will not be rushed.”

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Friends to Lovers
* Veterinarian x Veterinary Surgeon
* Second Chance w/ College Crush 8yrs Later
* Forced Proximity - Working to Save the Animal Rescue
* Different Worlds
* Broken Engagement- Fiancée Cheated on Her
* BIPOC Rep
* All things Dogs
* Pinning, History & Slow Burn w/ Spice
* New Orleans, Louisiana
* Dual POV

🐾⚜️🐶💚🐾⚜️🐶💚🐾⚜️🐶💚🐾

4.5 stars

I am such a sucker for a second-chance romance and this was no difference. I really enjoyed this story and I liked it much more than the previous in the series because both characters here, while flawed, I liked and was able to root for. I loved the growth between the two bringing the other into their world in ways they were afraid to their first time around. I also really enjoyed that they ahd similar jobs so they could easily relate to each other in that way as the veterinarian profession can be incredibly hard. My only issue was ghosting for me is incredibly hard to move past and during the 3rd act breakup, the MMC was unfairly cruel.

The narration and production was fantastic in the audiobook.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC!

This is a second-chance love that follows Evie and Bryson. Evie is a veterinarian, recently quit her job to get away from her cheating ex-fiancé, and Bryson is a well-known veterinary surgeon who has recently moved back to town for a job. They team up to try to save a failing animal shelter, and the feelings that never left start to reappear. I will say… I wanted to shake Bryson a couple times for letting his insecurities cause him to block his blessings, smh.

Farrah Rochon and Marissa Hampton are an author/narrator dynamic duo! I love how Marissa brings Farrah’s words to life. I enjoyed their combo in The Hookup Plan a few years ago too.

If you're a fan of Black Vets, strong friendships/ sisterhood, dogs, complex/toxic family dynamics and dual POV, add Pugs & Kisses to your TBR!

🌱| Feel good romance. Pugs. Passion. And a long-lost crush. Evie is ready to rewrite her life when Bryson walks back into her world. Second chances and wagging tails. Sparks fly.

🎧 Swoony, feel-good romance for your heart and your headphones.

I had fun with this book at times but I also felt like something was missing and there were points that I didn’t really like.
I really liked that it started with all the tea from the very beginning and also when they mentioned that everything with them happened 8 years ago I was screaming.
I also loved the friendship dynamics between evie and her friends they were so perfect for each other.
In the ending I was really bothered by her taking him back so quickly because his apology definitely wasn’t enough.
I was also obsessed with some of the quotes i’m just gonna list them here if you think of this as a spoiler just go read the book🥰.

“ i take it as my personal responsibility to ensure that you’re never miserable” it was so cute when he said that and doesn’t just everyone want this.

“ I never fell out of love with you” I was melting away this was so incredibly cute.

I received both an ALC and an ARC for review purposes. All opinions are my own. (Huge thanks to Hachette Audio and Forever for these!

The audiobook is dual pov, single narration. The narrator is really good!

If a book is set in New Orleans, I want to read it. I don't know if this is a byproduct of having lived in Louisiana, or what, but there's always a little bit of magic on books set there. And that is absolutely the case for Pugs and Kisses, because it is so FREAKING CUTE. I think I said the same about Pardon My Frenchie last year, but it's seriously the cutest book I've read all year.

When Evie's fiancé cheats on her and she kicks him out, she needs a new job because they work together. She returns to a dog rescue/clinic where she volunteered during vet school and runs into an old flame. But their beloved sanctuary needs to be saved, so they have to work together!

This book has all my favorite things:
-lots of healthy female friendships
-strained family relationships (they work on them)
-big family
-lots of food culture in NOLA
-NOLA as setting
-SO MANY DOGS
-and a little bit of spice!

Seriously, I want to be friends with all these women. They all feel so real and fun, and reading their scenes together felt like being in a room full of friends. I love that Farah Rochon has women lifting each other up.

And Bryson is such a sweetie. I loved him so much.

This book is definitely a favorite of the year. I will recommend this for anyone who needs a break from the real world. It's light and quick and fluffy. Plus, lots of pups.

A romance made for dog lovers.

It was supposed to be another uneventful day for Evie, until she found her fiancée naked in their bed with another woman. Now she’s single and jobless, since she worked at her fiancée’s clinic, but has a new purpose in life: rescuing the animal shelter where she used to volunteer when she was a teenager. The animal shelter where she met the one who got away: Bryson Mitchell.

But something more happens that day: Bryson is back after a decade of living in another state, and he’s more handsome than ever.

Pugs and Kisses was such a cute story. I listened to the audiobook and had fun following Evie and Bryson’s plans to try to save the animal shelter. If you love dogs, it’s going to be even more special for you, because they are the soul of this book.

While I loved the idea of the book (I fell in love with the title, which doesn’t happen often!), I think the romance could have been better. My main problem is that, while Evie and Bryson made a great couple, I felt they were already in love when the book started. I wanted to witness how they fell in love again, but I felt they were obsessed with each other since they were teens and, once they could get back together, they did. This meant that I wasn’t that invested in their romance, because there wasn’t really a progression in the way they saw each other.

Still, I would have given this three stars because it was a cozy, light, feel-good story, if it wasn’t for the annoying ending. I’m so tired of third act drama that doesn’t make sense only to have that final problem before the end. With the animal shelter plot, the author could have used that to create tension instead of making the characters do what they did towards the end. I’m someone who doesn’t mind characters arguing towards the end if it’s a reasonable problem, but this time it just showed they couldn’t communicate and gave up so easily on their relationship.

I expected more from two people who had been obsessed with each other for over a decade.

As for the audiobook, I prefer having two narrators for dual-POV romances, but the narrator did a great job at bringing the story and the characters to life. I enjoyed listening to it and I think it made the reading experience better.

Overall, Pugs and Kisses was a bit too low-angst for me (except for the ending, that was annoying), but it was a cute book that I would still recommend if you want a cozy love story about two dog lovers falling in love.

🎧Read as an audiobook

*Rating: 2.5/5 stars

I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A second chance romance and lots of dogs - what more could you ask for?

Evie comes from a family with a loveless marriage and is determined to not follow that path. And when she finds her fiancé with another woman in her bed, she's more determined than ever to not repeat the cycle. She's surprised to see her former college beau, Bryson, at the animal shelter they used to volunteer at. Now graduated, they're both veterinarians. Bryson is back in town and back in her life. Sadly, the animal shelter is barely keeping it's head above water and needs a miracle. Neither Evie or Bryson is going to let that happen.

🎧
Narration: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
Spice: 🔥
Plot: 📖📖📖📖

Marissa Hampton excels in narrating this dual POV. She has a great voice and makes the story come to life. Heartwarming details make this a cozy read and a little open door action keep things spicy. Waffles the Pug also might be my favorite character.

🌟⭐️⭐️🌟 — A sweet, second chance romance full of dogs, heart, and friendship!
Pugs and Kisses is a feel-good romantic comedy set in New Orleans, following Evie — and it’s full of warmth, friendship, and adorable pups.

Evie reunites with Bryson, a famous veterinary surgeon she had a past with few years ago. Their chemistry is undeniable, and watching them reconnect was so satisfying. I also loved seeing Ashanti again (From Pardon My Frenchie)— her friendship with Evie is a highlight of the story!

There’s a strong theme of animal rescue, family bonds, and healing, all wrapped in a cozy, dog-loving atmosphere. Bryson and Evie are a perfect match, and their journey was both heartwarming and fun.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC. This was such a joyful audiobook! ✨🌻
Now I need the book in my bookshelf 💛✨

4⭐️ 2🌶️ 4🎧 I knew from the title of this book I’d enjoy this story! Pugs & Kisses? GIMMIE!! This is a super cute story about shitty finances, second chances, saving an animal rescue, and falling in love and finally getting the HEA Evie and Bryson so desperately deserve.

Evie and Bryson were so good together! I am so happy they both worked through their mental blocks and hang ups to make they second chance together work. Cam is a crap human, to Bryson and Evie. I wish him nothing more than having the day he deserves.

This audiobook was narrated by Marissa Hampton; she did a great job telling this story. I look forward to listening to her again. I do wish there were two narrators to tell the different sides.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars round up to 4.

After catching her fiancé cheating and losing her job, Vet Evie finds herself at a crossroads until her old college crush, Bryson, reenters her life. Now, Bryson and Evie are brought back together when the local animal shelter they once volunteered at is on the verge of closing. They work side by side to save it, they’re forced to confront the sparks that never went away and question if there’s more waiting for them beyond friendship.

This was a sweet second chance romance. Bryson and Evie had me laughing out loud throughout the entire book especially thanks to the narrator, who really brought the humor to the story. The banter was fun and the chemistry was clear, but I will say Evie was way too understanding for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever Publishing

Publication Date: July 15, 2025
Story: 4⭐️
Narration: 5/5⭐️
This was such a cute, cozy, and fun read, I can’t wait to dive deeper into her catalog. The introduction was already messy, omg… Evie deserved better than Cameron! The magnetic pull between Evie and Bryson was soooo strong, and I was definitely rooting for both of them to just hurry up and get married already. I loved the development of Bryson’s and Evie’s characters so much. Both of them had to deal with their own insecurities, different backgrounds, wins and losses, and family dynamics in different ways… but still managed to find their connection again. I just wish I would have received a little more of their love once they finally gave each other a true chance. The narrator’s voice truly matched the way I would imagine the characters to sound like. She truly did a great job with making the entire story feel realistic, light, and engaging!
4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, Farrah Rochon, and Hachette Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

🕑 Quick Take:
Evie Williams is a board-certified veterinarian and has run Maple Street Animal Clinic with her fiancé, Cameron, since graduating from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, she provides basic examinations to dogs at her best friend’s, Ashanti from Pardon My Frenchie, doggy daycare, Barkingham Palace, a couple of times per week. Evie faced the ultimate betrayal when she discovered Cameron with another woman in their shared home. After spending some time sulking, Evie decides to cope with her broken heart by volunteering at one of her favorite places, the Sanctuary Animal Shelter.

Bryson Mitchell is a world-renowned veterinary surgeon. Bryson is in New Orleans as the keynote speaker for the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association’s quarterly meeting.
Bryson and Dr. Landry, director of the Sanctuary Animal Shelter, meet for lunch and decide to make a stop at the shelter, where Bryson and Evie encounter each other for the first time since they volunteered one summer eight years ago. This encounter brings all the feelings back for Evie, who was ghosted by the only other man to break her heart, Bryson.

💕What I Loved:
One of the things I enjoy about romance novels is the side characters that play a role in helping support the main characters navigate love loss, exploration of new and old love connections. Specifically, in this novel, I enjoyed Evie’s community, her best friends, Ashanti and Ridley. They were so fun and so supportive of our girl, Evie.

Next, I loved all the DOGS. Such a cute story centered around the pets that brought joy and comfort to the lives of the character, whether is was Bryson’s dog Bella or
Evie mixed Pug, Waffles. I was here for all the puppy love.

Tropes:
- Second Chance
- Forced Proximity
- Rom Com
- Dog Lovers

⚠️ Heads Up (Trigger/Content warnings):
- Death of a Pet
- Infidelity
- Strained parental relationships
- Miscarriage (very briefly mentioned)

🎭 Narration:
I prefer first person dual point of view, which involves dual narration. However, this novel, like Pardon My Frenchie, is written in third person with a single narrator. I believe Marissa Hampton did an excellent job of telling the story in an engaging way, ensuring that readers could easily discern whose point of view was being presented between Evie and Bryson.

💭 Final Thoughts:
I have read Farrah Rochon’s Boyfriend Project series and, as I mentioned earlier, Pardon My Frenchie. I love that her stories are always sweet and heartwarming, usually resulting in a happy-for-now ending! I found Pugs & Kisses to be an extremely cute and funny read, with just the right amount of drama. Therefore, I would definitely recommend the Pugs & Kisses audiobook.

Thanks NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this advanced listener copy.

This book was really good and I loved the way the main characters loved their dogs! Although who doesn’t give their dogs human names?? The characters had interesting but relatable issues (mostly imposter syndrome of one form or another) and the way the author weaved the importance of pets throughout the story was so real. The passion the characters had for saving the animal sanctuary, animals, and each other was wonderful.
The narrators were great and felt right for the characters. The voice acting was great and the emotion of the characters came through well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced listen of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Farrah Rochon is an underrated and underhyped romance author. I've read a couple of her other books and fully expected to enjoy Pugs and Kisses, and she didn't disappoint! The motivations and tensions of each character felt realistic and true to how they were written. I loved being immersed in NOLA and the Louisiana bayou - the setting almost felt like its own character in the best way.

The one bone I had to pick with the whole plot was the implication that vets make a lot of money. There's a whole conversation to be had about veterinary medical school bills, as well as the costs to start a practice. Typically, vets *do not* make much. money, for many many years after they start practicing. I know that may seem ridiculous to get hung up on, but Evie, Bryson, AND Cameron are all referenced as having a lot of money, and that was hard for me to get past.

I really liked the narrator. This was the first book I'd listened to narrated by Marissa Hampton, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for books with her as the narrator in the future.

OMG this was such a cure story. This book gave me cozy vibes - however please read any trigger warnings as I know some dog lovers may have a harder time with a part of this. I loved the cute pets and the friendship that was brought to life in the book. This book brought up a topic of financial gaps between partners and I don't see that too often and fully discussed. I really enjoyed how Farrah Rochon did it and really emphasized how that can hinder a relationship and that communication is huge. All in all, loved this book and am so glad I was able to listen to this one.

The audiobook was narrated by Marissa Hampton and she did a wonderful job with it.
I loved how she brought the book to life.

Thank you NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, Forever & Farrah Rochon for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a charming story. I haven't had the chance to read this book's predecessor but it reads perfectly well as a standalone book. It's a quick & sweet second chance romance read. Two veterinarians that met in vet school, reconnect years later to save the animal sanctuary they both interned at during school.

Narration was really well done. I've only visited New Orleans twice in my life, so I'm no expert- but it sounded to me like the narrator used correct cajun/NOLA pronunciations.