I really enjoyed this fun story about two veterinarians who have to put their past behind them and band together to save something that is important to both of them. I loved watching the relationship develop between the main characters as well as watching the fmc find herself. This story does touch on some tough subjects such as loss of a pet but is done in a thoughtful way.
In addition to the story in general I really enjoyed the glimpses into life in Louisiana, somewhere I hope to visit some day.
Between the excellent narration and writing my attention was grabbed from the first sentence.
Duel pov, light spice, fun banter. Second chances and lots of cute pet moments!

This book was absolutely adorable. I had an opportunity to listen to this book ahead of release time, thanks to NetGalley. The narrator was great! Farrah Rochon is an outstanding author, she immerses you in the Louisiana culture. Beignets and all! This story is about two dog lovers, they first meet when they are in veterinary college and then different circumstances separate them. Years later they are reunited by their mentor in hopes of saving their beloved clinic that they worked at together in college. This is a sweet second chance romance. If you love Abby Jimenez, this is an author other to pick up. When I requested this book, I did not realize it was a series, so I have already downloaded book one "Pardon my Frenchie" to catch up. I really hope that there is a book 3 soon.

𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Pugs & Kisses is a second chance romance between two dogs lovers. I devoured this book, once i started i couldnt stop!

The audiobook is narrated by Marissa Hampton and she did a good job, bringing depth to the characters. She was easy to listen to and also understand
Listened at 2x speed.

Thank you, Netgellay, and Hachette Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

A cute and snappy, summer romcom for anyone who loves dogs or hot doctors. Set is a vibrant city of New Orleans, Pugs and Kisses weaves together old flames, a great friend, and puppy antics that kept me engaged the whole listen.

Absolutely delightful! I loved everything about this, from the setting to the characters, to the narrator, and more! Pugs and Kisses is a second-chance romance featuring a couple who met in vet school, spent a summer flirting at an internship, and then went their separate ways somewhat unhappily. Evie is fresh out of a relationship after catching her fiance in bed with another woman. Bryson has returned to New Orleans a superstar veterinary surgeon but still struggles with feelings of inadequacy because of his humble beginnings - especially as compared to Evie, whose parents are wealthy and successful. The characters are so well-rounded, and the obstacles they face before they get their HEA are valid and are overcome in a very realistic fashion. It was great!

Thank you, readforeverpub, for the e-arc and Hachette Audio for the audiobook! I did a combo read of this book :) I thought the narrators did a great job, although they sounded a bit different than what I had pictured in my head (this always happens to me when I do a combo read, but read first lol)

I love Farrah’s contemporary romances, and this book was no different. I loved the first book in the series, and really enjoyed it! In Pugs and Kisses, Evelina and Bryson have a second chance at the romance that briefly started when they were in college. Fast forward 10 years, Evelina is newly single and Bryson has moved back to New Orleans with quite a few accolades under his belt as a veterinarian. I liked these two a lot, but will admit Bryson had a chip on his shoulder that by the end, I was like get over it haha. But I thought their romance was sweet, and I loved all the doggos in the story!

I suspect there will be a third book, and I can’t wait to read it.

This was a very cute, cozy romance set in Southern Louisiana. The story focuses on two vets coming together to save a dog rescue that they both previously worked at. I loved the dogs being involved and the few scenes of them taking care and interacting with the dogs.

This was fun read that was clear writing. The characters and side characters were interesting with their own strengths and weaknesses. Her best friends were supportive as she was navigating her new challenges.

I would say the characters themselves felt real and tried to improve. However, it felt like the owner of the rescue disappeared after he told them the news. The two main characters felt more hands off in saving the rescue. It seemed like her friends organized and executed more in the fundraisers.

The audio narrator was fun to listen to! I liked her expressions and her voices for the characters. Honestly, she brought the book to life and I enjoyed it more because of her.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this advanced listener copy for review.

4.5 stars for this super cute romance between two veterinarians who knew each other in college. Evie was funny. Her relationship with her friends was realistic. It had the drama you expect with romances without any of the immaturity. Very refreshing. The narrator for the audiobook was fantastic. Thanks to Netgalley for the audiobook.

A warm and fuzzy delight! Pugs and Kisses is a sweet, feel-good romance about second chances, unexpected love, and a pug who steals the spotlight (and your heart). Farrah Rochon delivers charm, light humour, and just the right sprinkle of spice.

While the story didn’t entirely sweep me off my feet, it still made for an enjoyable listen. The narration is pleasant, and the message came across alright.

This is a lovely pick for readers looking for an easy, heartwarming escape . Especially one featuring a four-legged matchmaker who’s impossible not to love.

Second chance romance
Sweet romance
Doggy cuteness
Multicultural
Close proximity

Audio review
Narrated by Marissa Hampton

Main characters
Evie
Bryson


It was the title for me. I knew with that title, it was going to be a cute story.

A missed chance in college and some insecurities on the part of our MMC lead to an eight year separation. Now they are back in the same town and find themselves working together to help their old mentor and save the animal shelter.

Both Evie and Bryson are the type of veterinarians you want to look after your pet. They are both caring and friendly. They cared about the pets as well as the pet owners. There a few heart warming scenes around that.
Theater is fast paced but we get growth with both characters. Evie coming to terms with her aspirations and family issues and Bryson with his insecurities add a low bit of angst. The supporting characters were good. I love a good girl squad. Evie had amazing friends.

A cute fun read that was well done.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for proving me with this ALC/ARC.

Hmmmm. This was… ok?

First, I wasn’t super happy that this is written in 3rd person but got over it. However, the MMC sucks, which made the romance suck, and the resolution to the 3rd act breakup… smh.

This was my first Farrah Rochan book and I wanted to love it because I own others by her. Love that she is a Louisiana native and she writes about books that are set there; makes them feel super authentic.

This story follows Evie, a veterinary doctor, and Bryson, a veterinary surgeon. They had a summer fling many years ago and since, Evie has been dating Brysons ex lab partner, Cameron. They’ve been engaged for 4 years but she can’t seem to commit for some reason. The story opens with Cameron cheating on Evie in their bed… 😬 she obviously breaks up with him, quits her job because she was working at his clinic, and starts volunteering at a local shelter. She learns that the shelter needs help and after running into Bryson again, they work together to make that happen. Her and Bryson agree to only be friends but that goes out the window and they fall in love.

Sounds great but had really poor execution. Bryson wasn’t a great MMC, no book boyfriend vibes, claimed to be obsessed with her for all the years they spent apart yet once they were finally together, he ruined it by saying they would never work because he grew up poor and insulted her and her entire family.

The third act break up happens in the last 10% and is resolved entirely too quickly and perfectly. He literally apologized and she was like ok let’s be together again 🙃

I was more invested with the shelter being bought out than anything with the romance.

Also TW pet death.

Farrah Rochon delivers another delightful read in Pugs and Kisses, a second chance romance filled with heart, humour, and a whole lot of canine charm. Fans of the author’s Pardon My Frenchie will feel right at home, as familiar faces—both two- and four-legged—make welcome appearances throughout the story.

At the centre of it all is veterinarian Evie Williams, whose “perfect” life unravels the moment she walks in on her fiancé with another woman. Not only is she suddenly single, but she’s also without a job, having worked in the veterinary practice owned by her now-ex’s family. While figuring out her next move, Evie returns to her roots by volunteering at the local animal shelter—only to run into Bryson Mitchell, her former flame and long-time “what if.”

Now a renowned veterinary surgeon, Bryson is just as surprised to see Evie. The pair are thrown back together as they work to save the shelter that shaped their early careers, forcing them to confront unresolved feelings and the mysterious circumstances that drove Bryson away years ago.

Told in alternating perspectives, the story gives readers a deeper look into both Evie and Bryson’s emotional journeys. Their chemistry is undeniable, and it was both touching and entertaining to watch them rediscover what they once had. While there are a few steamy moments, they’re easy to skip if that’s not your cup of tea.

As a dog lover, I especially appreciated the focus on animal care and the bond between humans and dogs. Rochon handles the subject with warmth and authenticity, though I’ll note that there is a sensitive moment involving the death of a dog—which the author acknowledges in advance.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Marissa Hampton, and found her performance to be a lovely match for the tone of the book. She brought both Evie and Bryson to life with distinct, believable voices and captured the story’s emotional depth with ease. If you enjoy audiobooks, this is a format I’d happily recommend.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, Pugs and Kisses is a heartwarming read about love, growth, and following your passion—even when life throws you a curveball. Whether you’re here for the romance, the adorable dogs, or both, this one’s a winner.

I received an ARC of this audiobook from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Thank you @hachetteaudio for providing me an early copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

This was such a cute read! 🥰

Evie caught her (now ex-)fiancé cheating on her, so yeah, that’s over. And wouldn’t you know it, turns out her old vet school fling has come back to town; the one who broke her heart all those years ago, when he left without explanation.

I love a second chance romance, where they’re both still feeling the connection. I loved that their “forced” proximity came from trying to save the old animal shelter that they volunteered at when they were students. And I loved that their little doggos bonded during their humans’ time together.

A perfect little read when you’re looking for a feel good, low stakes romance.

Audiobook notes: Ok, so Marissa Hampton solo-narrates this dual POV book, and she did an absolutely amazing job! She totally changed her voice when narrating either Bryson or Evie’s POV, so it was super easy to tell which POV we were in at any given moment, AND this also made it so their dialogue voices were super consistent throughout. I was a little apprehensive about it at first, but I thought it worked out great! 👍

What this book is giving:
✅ Romcom
✅ Second Chance
✅ Veterinarians
✅ Doggies!
✅ New Orleans
✅ Black Romance

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
🌶️🌶️ / 5

4✨Evie’s life is in chaos, no fiancé, no job, and no clear direction, until her ex (and fellow vet) Bryson moves back to town. Cue emotional chaos, adorable pups, and serious second-chance energy.

Yes, it’s predictable, but in the best way. It has just the right amount of spice 🌶️, sweet laughs 😂, and all the feels 💞.

If you’re in the mood for something warm, romantic, and easy to sink into, this one’s for you.

📚 Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!

Spice: 🌶️.5/5
Version: Audiobook

I was cautiously excited for this book—I didn't love the first one in the series, but for reasons I thought were specific to that book, and I thought I'd like this one more. Unfortunately, I think the pacing here was too slow for me, and I didn't feel connected to the characters (which is a different issue than I had with the first book). I loved the side characters but didn't really feel invested in the main ones, and at 47% it felt like not much had happened beyond the explosive opening. They decided to take on the rescue, but without them knowing quite what was going on with it, I didn't really feel any urgency behind that.

I do think this could be a good read for someone looking for a book that's a bit lower stakes (at least, as far as I read), and I don't necessarily think the pacing or characterization were bad, per se, they just didn't really work for me.

I loved Pardon My Frenchie so I was so excited to hear that Evie would be featured in Pugs & Kisses! I absolutely adored Evie and wanted to give her a hug throughout the book. As always, the female friendship dynamic was a highlight. I loved seeing Ashanti and Thad thriving in both their relationship and careers. Evie and Bryson’s chemistry hit all the right notes. There were definitely moments I wanted to shake Bryson and tell him not to do certain things, but I also understood where he was coming from. Pugs & Kisses includes some content warnings which Farrah thoughtfully puts at the beginning of the story. I try to avoid books that deal with pet loss especially since getting my own dog a few years ago, but with two veterinarians as the main characters, it made sense for the topic to come up. I trusted Farrah as a talented writer and a pet lover and she handled the subject with so much care and compassion. Overall, I loved Evie and Bryson’s story and I’m really hoping we get Ridley and Von’s book next!

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for allowing me to listen and review this book. The book was cute, funny and just a cozy read! There were parts (only small ones) that didn’t have me fully in it and that’s the only reason I didn’t give it a full 5/5 stars but I did truly love this book! I would recommend it for anyone that likes second chance romances and fun/cute fur babies!! I really have no complaints beyond those few parts that just didnt grab me but it was fast, fun and really enjoyable!! 4/5 stars!!

first, a big thank you to netgalley & hachette audio for my first ALC! 🎧🫶🏻

now, I read the blurb and immediately thought “I’m going to like this” because second chance romances have my heart and I loved that both MCs are vets - because who doesn’t love dogs?! (well I guess not Cam but that’s none of my business… 🫢) anyway, I’m sure to no one’s surprise: I loved the story.

What I loved:
-side characters 👌🏻
-found family female friendships 💪🏻
-dogs!!!! dogs being cute together!!! 🐶🐶
-MMC falls first and falls harder 🥹
-FMC’s honest communication w/ her mother about her feelings/respecting boundaries ‼️
-MCs working together to try to save the animal shelter 🤝🏻
-the ending 🥹✨💖

What wasn’t my favorite:
-little miscommunication near the end that felt like an argument the MCs had already had and dealt with. And subsequently, how the resolution felt a bit rushed. I do get that it’s a very human thing to do to still be upset after an alleged resolution… real people are so messy 🫠

Overall, I loved the characters, I loved watching them fall for each other again, and I loved how the story played out. It’s a sweet romance with relatively low angst. I’d say it’s a perfectly cute, low-stress read!

I do also want to touch on the audiobook narrator - she had a phenomenal job! I do tend to prefer when audios have duet narration, but the production on this sounded great! I loved that when the FMC was smiling through clenched teeth that you could HEAR the narrator smiling and clenching her teeth. Just little details like that. 👌🏻

Happy reading! 🫶🏻

Veterinarian Evie Williams' life is thrown into shambles when, within a few days, she is unemployed and no longer engaged, then walks in the other man to break her heart - Bryson Mitchell. Thrown together to save the animal clinic they volunteered at many years before, can Evie and Bryson discover new paths while also finding love?

I won't lie - I requested this audiobook on a whim, as it's not my usual genre - and I'm glad I did! What an adorably charming listen!! First, I am a foster mom and volunteer for an animal rescue. The main characters are vets who want to save all the animals. Sign me up! Add in the great friend characters and believably sweet romance - what a delight! Even better, this is the second book, so I immediately went to search the first on Libby! Cannot wait for more!

Advanced copy provided by Hachette Audio. All opinions are my own.
1 like

Pugs and Kisses was recommended for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Abby Jiminez. Naturally, with a recommendation like that, I had to read it.

This was a very sweet, lost love story with minimal angst. Evie's partner at the beginning is leaves much to be desired but the story is really lovely as she moves forward from his betrayal. She and Bryson, her long ago love, just can't deny their connection with each other.

I love that it doesn't take ages to overcome the challenges from the past. This was a very fast and satisfying read.