New Tricks

A lovely sweet story of two people matched together by the local ‘battle-axes’ matchmaking group.part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone story.

A romantic and steamy story of two people who were simply made for each other! Really enjoyed it, and all of the characters were very likable!

Zoe had a crush on Drake when they were at school, but he married her best friend who he sadly lost. The battleaxes are trying to fix them up, but is he ready to move on? Zoe has her own issues so will she give him a chance?
Great read - I haven't read the other books in the series ad whereas I think it didn't matter, I want to go back and read them now

New Tricks is a lovely, slightly bittersweet friends to lovers romance between Drake, a veterinarian who lost his wife 4 years prior, and Zoe, a dog groomer at his practice who has been his best friend since they were children, but was also the best friend of his wife, Heather. Both Drake and Zoe were heartbroken over the loss and have been each other's main support the last few years. However, Zoe's feelings are complicated in that she had a crush on Drake in high school, but she hadn't spoken up about it when Heather and Drake started dating. Now that Drake is finally starting to think about moving on, Zoe is overwhelmed as primary caregiver to her beloved mother who has developed early onset Alzheimers and is combative and difficult.

Drake has been in a fog of grief, but now that he's finally coming out of it he quickly becomes aware of how much Zoe has been dealing with on her own. He wants to help and support her as much as she has done for him, not to mention that he quickly realizes that the only person he wants to move on with is her. Initially, I wasn't sure how well a romance between them could be sold since they both loved Heather so much, but the author does a great job of showing that Zoe and Heather were very different personalities and Drake's relationship with each of them was different. With Heather it was instant ease and comfort, whereas Zoe is strong, stubborn, and constantly challenges him. Their banter and ease with each other was adorable and it was clear how much they liked and respected each other. I also loved that although they were moving on, Heather was still shown as an emotional presence in both their lives, not something to be pushed aside or forgotten. Overall, this was an emotional but hopeful romance. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

This book is a friends to lovers romance between Drake (a vet surgeon) and Zoe (a dog groomer). They have been best friends forever and have been there through the toughest times of their lives. Drake was married to Zoe's best friend before he lost her to illness. Zoe is taking care of her mom who has Alzheimer's. She is difficult and throws things in anger and frustration. She doesn't mean any of it and would not want her daughter enduring this. However, the disease has made it her new reality. Zoe has been struggling alone and burning the candle at both ends.

These are two very likable characters. Drake's growing compassion and Zoe's strong little spitfire attitude are easy to identify with and find a special place in your heart as you read.

I absolutely love the book and the writing style. My mom is going through early stages of Alzheimer's now and it's heartbreaking at the same time as it hits home. It is uplifting to see the ways we don't realize we put so much on ourselves sometimes as women and the way that love and support from your best friend and love can make all the difference in the world. Sometimes knowing you are not alone in the fight is enough.

I will definitely be reading the other books in the series. I believe they can stand alone but I enjoyed this one so much that I want to read more by this author.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
The author has a way of telling a story that pulls at your heart strings and you feel as if you are feeling all the emotions like the characters in this book.
The vet scenes, the chaos around a heartbreaking disease, and a healing heart all within this story.
You don’t want to miss this one!