A Ruff Royal Christmas 🎄 🐶
RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Review:
This is such an amazing heartwarming Christmas romance!
Princess Ava has planned a Christmas Eve charity event, but all goes wrong when she loses the Queen’s mischievous dog. Ava teams up with Justin, who is a dog trainer, to find the dog.
The longer they spend together trying to find the runaway dog, the more tension and sparks fly.
The even bigger issue- Ava is engaged and ready to marry the duke. She needs to figure out, should she marry the duke or follow her heart?

This is the sweetest holiday romance! It is packed full of fun, Christmas cheer and love. This was the perfect read for Christmas in July! The main characters, Ave and Justin, are absolutely perfect for each other.
If you are looking for the perfect Christmas romance read for the holidays this year, this is it!

Review will also be posted on Instagram and Goodreads.

I love reading a Christmas story in July. The heat is always unbearable where I live and picturing snow gives me hope. This author never lets me down with her signature humor, romance and heartfelt royal escapades. This a cute plot with Princess Ava in the midst of the annual benefit Christmas party when Queen Kathleen arrives with an untrained, mischievous adopted dog. I’ve never related more to a character than with Princess Ava. She’s all business with no time or patience for a dog who’s destroying all her hard work. Shocker, there are people who don’t like dogs, I’m one who prefers cats. The Princess has been expected to marry Duke Henry since she was a child. Justin, a much needed dog trainer, could upset traditions and expectations. I laughed at many of the capers the new pet created and there were surprises along the way. It was a quick and easy read that brightened my day. Thanks so much to HawkTale publishing and Karen Schaler (via NetGalley) for providing an Advance Reader Copy of “A Ruff Royal Christmas”. Get yourself a copy, it’ll be published 09/30/2025. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without any compensation.

Another Christmas classic by Karen Schaler to add to her growing lists.

The main characters go through a journey of growing and they work well together and you can never go wrong with including a dog with Christmas joy.

I laughed so often while reading and I could picture this one as a movie so easily.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for this Arc in exchange for my honest review.

Everything is going according to schedule. Princess Ava of Skydovia is heavily engaged in preparing Vailgate Castle for the annual royal Christmas party. She demands perfection from the placement of decorations on the perfect tree and the setting for a big announcement. Once the Queen gives permission, she will have a public proposal from the duke her father planned she would marry. This, the first Christmas since her father, Prince Frederick's untimely passing she had to have the best party ever, in his memory.
But, her mother, Queen Kathleen, has shocked her by bringing an intruder into the castle, a Dog! That dog is named perfectly; Stormy is destroying everything he gets close to. Along with the dog the Queen has brought an American into the situation. Justin is to take the Border Collie into his Puppy Bootcamp training program. He can't teach this dog quickly enough. Actually, Stormy takes off and is missing so the Princess has more problems to deal with. Her mother will never forgive her.
This is a sweet and sometimes comical romance with a beautiful Christmas setting. I totally felt the Christmas movie vibe all through reading the book. The slightly adventurous search for Stormy takes Ava and Justin from place to place in Skydovia. Ava begins to see things differently during the exhausting search.
I want to thank the author Karen Schaler, Hawk Tale Publishing and NetGalley for my advanced reader's copy of this feel-good Christmas tale. It was a good book to read during "Christmas in July" season while near an air conditioner. Fans of royal romance stories should enjoy this, especially if you love a mischievous dog.

Recipes and Festive Activities including the very special recipe; Stormy's Paw-sitively Delicious Dog Treats are added in.

A Ruff Royal Christmas was delightful!

Princess Ava has put together the most perfect Christmas Eve charity event. Not only is it a tradition, but it's to honor her father after he passed away this last year. Things are running smoothly until her mother, The Queen brings home Stormy. A Border Collie who is a bit naughty. Naughty, playful, mischievous. A handful for sure. Things would be ok, but The Queen needs to make a quick trip to Paris and asks Ava to watch Stormy, until the dog trainer can come and pick him up. She is not thrilled and even less so when Stormy makes a bit of a mess. Where is that trainer already?

Justin loves nothing more than training dogs. He has a gift when it comes to them and then finding them their forever homes. He has known The Queen for many years through charity events and when she asks him to come and train her new dog, he can't say no. When he arrives at The Palace he gets into a bit of a bickering match with The Princess. After that things quickly spiral out of control. Stormy runs off and from there Justin and Ava spend the next two days searching for The Queens precious pup.

This story was super cute. It was fast paced, full of humor, festive and so much fun!

A Ruff Royal Christmas is a quick, charming read perfect for the holidays. When the queen adopts a spirited dog, she brings in a famous trainer to help—but she also secretly hopes he’ll be a good match for her daughter, who’s facing an arranged engagement.

The story follows the princess and the dog trainer as they search for the runaway pup, and along the way, walls start to come down and feelings start to grow. There’s humor, heart, and just the right touch of royal drama. A fun and sometimes emotional journey to a sweet HEA.

Thank you NetGalley and HawkTale Publishing for sending me the ARC of another cute Christmas story by "Christmas Karen" Schaler. If you are looking for a "deep" story, this isn't for you. But it you want a feel-good Christmas story, then you will enjoy this one. Since a lot of the action takes place involving a dog, Stormy, this story is different from the usual royal romance...thankfully! This royal family cares deeply about animal shelters. Plus, this princess is an engineer and comes up with quirky inventions that are so much fun! Her platform will be to push science and math to youngsters, encouraging them to follow their dreams. This is a new, modern twist.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

What a beautiful and heartwarming Christmas book. It has everything, a strong willed and beautiful princess, a dashing and funny man, a fun loving queen, a slimy duke and an oval rescue dog. There is mayhem and shenanigans galore. It’s a very festive book with a glorious ending. I highly recommend reading this book! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

A hilarious feel good festive romp. I love the cheeky stormy who is just a typical dog who brings everyone together. The banter had me eagerly anticipating what would happen next. A great time was had while reading this book.

A Ruff Royal Christmas is a cozy, feel-good holiday romance that gave me all the feels. I loved how mischievous Stormy brought all of the humans together during this special season.

I always look forward to Karen Schaler Books. A standalone, I'd call this feel good fiction - This one was especially helpful as I'd come down with the dreaded flu so this book was my escapism! It would make a fab Netflix movie.

The plot is interesting as our main character starts with a very narrow view of the world. The longer the book goes on, the more Princess Ava realises that life has more layers that perhaps she initially thought. I like that our hero also had to make some choices about the direction of his life. Will be looking to buy the book for my library when available.

I receive complimentary books from various sources, including NetGalley, authors, and others. I am not required to write a positive review, and I have not received any compensation for my thoughts.

This is the first Karen Schaler book I've read, and it certainly won't be the last. "A Ruff Royal Christmas" was exactly the light, entertaining, cozy holiday romance novel I was looking for. Schaler's writing is engaging and her characters are so well developed. I was a fan of the Netflix film "A Christmas Prince" before, and hadn't realized she's the author behind it. This latest novel gives similar vibes. Fans of royalty and Christmas fiction will enjoy it.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ava and Justin's journey and watching their romance develop. Add in a free-spirited Queen mother who wants to see her daughter happy without settling and you have the perfect recipe for a "Hallmark" style romance to unfold. I just wish there could've been a little more dog training in the novel,

Nevertheless, I give this book 5 stars. Can't wait to check out the rest of the author's backlist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hawktale Publishing for the ARC copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler is a beautifully done Christmas love story filled with all the majic of the season. The love develops between the animal trainer and the princess. The love for the dog develops during the hunt to find the dog into a lot of magic. I loved the story.

Karen Schaler has provided another magical yet believable offering for our Christmastime enjoyment. 'A Ruff Royal Christmas' exposes the reader to the European kingdom of Queen Kathleen and her daughter Princess Ava. Ava is overwhelmingly busy in creating the annual Christmas Eve Charity Ball to honor her late father's meticulous devotion to the event. Her mother the Queen introduces a dog into the mix right before Christmas and life begins to alter greatly for Ava from that point on. This is an engaging story of love, childhood expectations, humor and forgiveness. It is wonderful and I highly recommend it to all.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A Ruff Royal Christmas is a cute, uplifting story involving a princess, the queen mother, and an American dog trainer, Justin, hired to enroll the newest member of the royal family into his Puppy Bootcamp. Princess Ava wants nothing to do with the new dog, Stormy, a rescue dog. Her mother, the queen, loves Stormy and leaves him in Ava’s care when she heads to Paris for a few days. The antics really take hold when Stormy disappears just before Christmas. Justin and Ava are frantically looking for the dog who is spotted in various locations around town. The sub story in the book is the importance of animal rescue organizations. I love how this book brings attention to the plight of rescue dogs and animal shelters, a very worthwhile cause.

This is a sweet slice of romantic, festive escapism with the Christmassy loveliness turned up to 11. 🎄⛄💗 The plot involves Stormy, a royal dog in the kingdom of Skydovia, princess Ava who has a degree in mechanical engineering and a sense of duty to marry a man she doesn't love, and the American dog trainer who may win her heart. A very easy, enjoyable read.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

A Ruff Royal Christmas is a heartwarming tale of how the lives of a royal family and a commoner intertwine all because of a mischievous dog. Author Karen Schaler brings out the personality of each character as you become immersed in each scene.
Her enchanting style makes this a book you can’t put down. This must-read brings a refreshing spin on the holiday romance and will be a favorite for the season!

Love this story about Ava, the princess and Justin the dog trainer.Her mother, the queen goes to a lot of trouble to teach Ava about real love and not an arranged marriage. Follow Ava and Justin's journey and how Ava and her mother ended up with a better relationship. THIS BOOK IS A VERY GOOD READ. If you have enjoyed this author's books before you will love this one.

Fun and festive, plus a dog!
If you love Christmas markets, festive holiday offerings and a naughty canine with a royal romance this is the book for you! You will fall in love with this sweet Christmas story full of Karen’s Christmas magic!

Princess Ava is planning the perfect Christmas Eve charity event. This is not only a tradition but a way to honor her father who passed away the previous year. Everything is going according to Ava’s meticulous plan until the Queen brings home a new border collie who is very mischievous. Things quickly get out of hand when Ava loses Stormy and chaos erupts. Ava has no choice but to team up with Justin, a laid-back American dog trainer the Queen hired to train her new dog. Things quickly spiral out of control as Ava and Justin give chase to find Stormy before the Queen returns from Paris…

This is such a festive heartfelt Christmas romance! It is full of humor, heart and you’ll find yourself rooting for Ava and Justin! A wonderful addition to Karen’s Christmas books. I could absolutely see this as a Christmas movie. Delightful!

Thank you Netgalley and Hawk Tale Publishing for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

A solid Christmas classic. It had all the funny, cozy vibes I was hoping for—twinkling lights, festive cheer, and a romance to root for. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I LOVE KAREN SCHALER!!!

I’ve read all of her Christmas books and she NAILS the Christmassy elements every time. Every setting is festive and fun with some unique Christmas traditions.

This book was absolutely overflowing with Christmas cheer! 🎄It was different from the typical “falling in love with a royal at Christmas” romance so common on Hallmark in that the Princess Ava is quite reclusive and guards her heart while the Queen (her mother) was the impulsive and fun loving royal.

I loved Stormy the mischievous dog and Justin the dog trainer. Dogs just add something so fun to a book in general but especially a Christmas book!

The characters were great as well. I liked seeing Ava grow and change as she got to know Stormy and Justin. I liked seeing her relationship with her mother change as well.

This romance is completely clean (nothing beyond kissing) and it was so sweet and cute.

I loved this book so much and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves Christmas books! I can’t wait to see what she will write next!


<i>Thank you to Karen Schaler, Hawktale Publishing, and NetGalley for the e-ARC!! ♥️

One of the things I loved the most about this book was how it managed to give me that magical Christmas vibe in the middle of August—such a beautiful experience.

I received a free copy of A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler from the publisher and NetGalley—thank you for letting me enjoy such a delightful story.

While reading, I felt as if I were sipping hot chocolate, surrounded by snow, with a sweet dog by my side (I have a precious one myself 💕) and a cozy little cabin tucked away in the mountains. The story is simple, completely clean, sweet, and heartwarming. I recommend it if you love Hallmark Christmas movies and if your heart is ready to be filled with holiday spirit.

Princess Ava's perfectly planned Christmas Eve charity event erupts into chaos when she loses Stormy, the Queen's mischievous new border collie. With Christmas approaching fast, Ava has no choice but to team up with Justin, a laid-back American dog trainer who's used to wrangling strays, not royal runaways!

Sparks fly as Justin's rule-breaking free spirit clashes with Ava's determination to follow royal protocol. But when their search for Stormy takes them through glittering Christmas markets, festive holiday activities, and snowy winter wonderlands, an undeniable chemistry builds between them.
Loved this book

Thank you NetGalley for a pre-release of A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler.

Karen Schaler did it again - another endearing, unique, and feel good Christmas tale. Christmas is coming to the royal palace! Sparks fly between Ava and Justin as they search for the queen’s lost dog. Will Ava choose to follow her heart or the duty she was trained to followed? This book was so good that I read it in less than 24 hours. I highly recommend adding this story to your Christmas reading list.

What fantastic cozy read.

I felt like it was Christmas already and it was only September, I love royal strikeouts so this was perfection for me.

It read like Hallmark Movie which I LOVED!.

This book, A Ruff Royal Christmas, is a perfect hoilday-time romantic comedy! The writing is wonderful and the dialogue feels like real conversation, which makes this one super easy to read without wanting to put it down. This book is a blend of cozy Christmas and uplifting comedy that is perfect for holiday reading.

I loved the way the different scenes are written, especially the holiday markets! It really makes you feel like you are there with the characters.

A mischevious pup badly in need of training, a princess who doesn’t know how to act normal, a prince of a guy who isn’t even a duke and a Queen who only wants her daughter to find true love. These are the main characters in this royally sweet Christmas book. Pour your cup of cheer, snuggle in your blanket and enjoy the ride…..it may just even be in a sleigh. Thank you Netgalley and Hawktale Publishing. I received an are of this book without remuneration and this review is my honest opinion.

This was the perfect easy read Christmas book! If I didn’t know the authors work, I would say that this has the same feeling as a Netflix/Hallmark movie. Even better, it makes perfect sense for her work.

I loved the story and the banter between Ava and Justin.

What a good read for the upcoming holidays.
If you love a quick and easy, feel good Christmas story that feels perfect for tv, this is your next holiday read.

I am so happy that Karen is able to write again. I truly missed her Christmas release last year. This book is such a beautiful comeback. It is humorous, heartwarming, and just such a lovely book to read. The characters endure to the reader and just jump off the page in a way that you know this is a book you will just get lost in. I have already started to recommend it to some readers, and I hope they are just as enchanted as I am with this book.
Thank you to HawkTale Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of such a beautiful book.

I've always been a sucker for a good Christmas romance, and this is one of the best! It has all the ingredients - a beautiful setting in the Alps in winter in a small country (with a gorgeous castle) where everyone speaks perfect English, a princess caught between the longing for love and the call of duty, a rather sinister aristocrat hoping to marry into the royal family without caring all that much about the princess, a beguiling American outsider with zero interest in the titles or trappings of royalty but a growing interest in the princess, an eccentric queen mother, and a cast of loyal retainers. And for good measure, this story also has a dog, albeit one who seems to enjoy knocking over Christmas trees.

As the story develops, the American dog trainer finds himself falling for the princess as they spend a frantic day looking for the dog, who's gone missing (probably a wise move after knocking over the Christmas tree). Their adventure takes them to several places that hold precious memories for the princess as they both reevaluate their priorities and come to terms with family issues.

I'd love to see this book turned into a Christmas movie.

Another great book by Karen Schaler!!!! When Princess Ava meets the new dog trainer it is anything but love at first sight. When circumstances force them to spend time together, follow the rules, duty first Princess Ava has to adapt to the American, go with the flow, joker Justin! You won't want to put this down, it is the perfect read by the Christmas tree book!

A Ruff Royal Christmas is basically a Hallmark holiday movie you can read, complete with royalty, romance, and enough festive charm.

It’s a sweet, feel-good story where the real magic is in watching the characters change and grow. That journey of transformation gave the romance heart, and the royal + Christmas combo delivers all the fairy-tale sparkle you could want.

Light, warm, and predictably delightfu. It’s the perfect curl up by the fire read. Warning: may cause sudden cravings for candy cane, fairy lights, and perhaps adopting a dog you don’t technically have room for

Loved this book with the wonderful Christmas theme we all want. Princess Ava has lost the royal dog a very cheeky border collie she teams up with Justin a dog trainer to help her find the missing dog.
Ava is very traditional she has a duke she’s hoping to marry but Justin makes her question her choices and she feels like she should throw caution to the wind and take a chance on him, after all it’s Christmas and what could possibly go wrong,
Brilliantly written loved this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Karen for the ARC.

Karen didn't disappoint with this sweet Christmas book. This plot was enjoyable, and I loved the characters. Ava and Justin were fantastic. The addition of Stormy was fantastic. The dog antics were so funny and had me hooked. Ava was such a brilliant character, I enjoyed reading her and how her character developed throughout the book, Justin definitely helped her find what she wanted for her life.

This is a sweet heartwarming Christmas romance that was an absolute joy to read. It has a wonderful cast of characters and the author brings the story to life with her words. I loved how she included shelter dogs in this story. This book would make a great Christmas movie.
I received a complimentary copy from HawkTale Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler is an absolute delight from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this charming holiday romance filled with sparkling chemistry, festive magic and heartwarming moments. Princess Ava’s search for the mischievous Stormy leads to a whirlwind of humor and unexpected love, making it impossible to put down. The snowy settings and lively Christmas markets create the perfect cozy atmosphere, while the growing connection between Ava and Justin kept me smiling the entire way through. I happily give this wonderful story five stars.

I was fortunate to receive an ARC copy of this sweet story to review. Reading this book was like experiencing a Hallmark Christmas movie in my mind. The vivid descriptions of the foreign snow covered location, combined with the eventful journey of the main characters had me smiling through the entire book.

While a cute puppy and Christmas market setting make for a light and whimsical read, the relationships experienced by Ava, Justin, and their respective families bring depth to the story. While searching for a (seemingly) lost dog all over the countryside, the main characters confront challenges with following family traditions and expectations that conflict with personal goals and dreams.

The events of the story move at an exciting pace, with unexpected twists and turns along the way. I enjoyed following Ava and Justin through their adventures, and felt emotionally invested in the outcome.

I will definitely be rereading this story while curled up on the couch with hot chocolate this winter, and would also LOVE to watch it on television someday!

So many great Christmas stories from Karen Schaler, and this new one did not disappoint. A fun royal family story, sweet escapades with a dog, a dog trainer, an uptight princess, and a mischievous Queen. This leads to many comical moments and has all the feels of a happy ever after.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy for review.

Ava is a princess trying to find her way and keep the palace and her country running after her father passes away. One of those tasks is reigning in her spirited mother, the queen. When the queen comes into the palace with a dog that creates havoc among the Christmas decorations, Ava quickly says the dog needs to go. However, the queen insists Stormy stays and she’s even hired a well known trainer to work with him. The queen takes a trip to Paris leaving Ava in charge of Stormy. There’s just one catch. Stormy disappears and Ava enlists the help of the trainer, Justin, to help locate him before the queen finds out.

Ava’s uptight personality is a great match for Justin’s easy going nature. I loved reading about their interactions. This story is perfect for Hallmark movie lovers. It has that sweet romance that slowly builds during the story with a guaranteed HEA. It also has just the right amount of Christmas fun thrown in. I loved picturing the palace and Christmas events throughout the town. The author was extremely descriptive and an expert at creating the perfect fictional setting. A great read!

I really enjoyed this book! It’s the perfect holiday love story with humor and all the Christmas cheer! I think it would make an amazing movie!

If you need that **perfect holiday escape** that feels like cozying up by a fire, grab this audiobook! From the creator of Netflix's *A Christmas Prince*, this is a sparkling royal rom-com with a hilarious, furry twist. Princess Ava's perfectly planned life—including her expected engagement to a Duke—gets completely derailed by **Stormy, the Queen's new, chaotic Border Collie**. When the pup runs off right before the big Christmas event, the buttoned-up princess has to team up with **Justin, a charming, laid-back American dog trainer**. Their desperate search through the glittering Christmas scenes of Skydovia sparks some serious holiday chemistry, forcing Ava to decide if following royal duty is really worth sacrificing her heart. It’s the literary version of a Hallmark movie marathon—warm, funny, utterly feel-good, with the mischievous dog being the real MVP. Narrator Hannah Curtis also does an amazing job, bringing the whole story to life with energy and cozy charm. *A Ruff Royal Christmas* is a delightful, heartfelt story about choosing happiness over expectation and a **must-listen** for the holidays!

This is a delightful, funny Christmas read.

We meet Princess Ava, her mother, the Queen, the mischievous dog, Stormy, who belongs to the Queen, Justin, the trainer and a Duke. All these personalities combine to make this a great Christmas book you do not want to miss reading.

You will not want to put it down until the end.

Thanks to Hawktale and NetGalley for this ARC for the Christmas season. Comments made are my own.

“A Ruff Royal Christmas" by Karen Schaler is an absolute delight that captures the very essence of what makes holiday romances so special. This fantastic Christmas romance swept me off my feet with its sweet and wholesome characters, each one adding a unique charm to the story.

The setting is nothing short of magical, painting vivid winter wonderlands that make you feel like you're right there, sipping hot cocoa by a crackling fire. The dynamics between the characters are heartfelt and genuine, creating an emotional connection that warms the heart.

And let's talk about the awesome dog! The furry companion in this story isn’t just adorable but plays a pivotal role that adds both humor and heart to the narrative. It's impossible not to fall in love with this canine character.

Best of all, "A Ruff Royal Christmas" delivers a happy ending that leaves you with a contented smile, perfect for the holiday season. If you're looking for a feel-good festive read that embodies the spirit of Christmas, this is the book for you! Highly recommended for all romance and holiday enthusiasts.

This story was absolutely adorable! I love every second of it. It was very well written that it kept you reading, and I didn't want to put the book down. It is definitely a Hallmark movie in the making.
Princess Ava has grown up to follow her father's rules while her mother, the Queen, ruled the kingdom of Skydovia. She is also an inventor.
The Queen finally gets a dog since her last husband was allergic, and hires Justin who is a world renown dog trainer to train her new dog.
While the Queen is away, the dog runs away, and it is up to Ava and Justin to get the dog back.
As they search through castle and Skydovia, they learn about themself and what they want with their live.
100/100 Recommend.

A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler
Releases on September 30, 2025

Karen is well known for her Christmas books and movies. Some might called her the queen of Christmas! The main character in this book is stormy the royal dog!


Princess Ava is set to marry a man that she just doesn’t love!
But it’s a Christmas movie so you know it’s most likely gonna have a happy ending. And it’s written by Karen so you know it’s written well with amazing characters.

This is another perfect Karen Schaler Christmas novel. It had all the components you want for a feel good Christmas story. It hits you all all the emotions while still moving you that joyful Christmas spirit.

Ruff Royal Christmas is an absolutely beautiful holiday story filled with love and the joy of the season. Of course not everything goes according to plan. Stormy, the new castle dog, needs a lot of training and makes a lot of trouble, fun for him but a mess for others. Justin, the dog trainer, has his hands full with Stormy and Princess Ava. The Queen and Ava often don’t see eye to eye so there is a bit of family tension adding to the celebration. A typical family Christmas! I’m the end it all comes together for a beautiful conclusion to the year. This would make a wonderful Hallmark movie with all of Stormy’s antics!

The next Hallmark movie for sure. It has everything a Christmas story should have; royalty, decorations, Christmas trees, a handsome non-prince and a curmudgeonly duke. Not to mention a dog! We have our own Stormy but the book's Stormy is another level. A lot of fun.
If you want to add to your holiday season, read this book. You will enjoy it.

Oh my what a lovely cosy romantic festive read!
I always look forward to Karen's schalers annual festive book, they are a great read and definitely get me in the festive spirit.

Is u want a nice light hearted, romantic, quick holiday, happily ever after read then this is the book for you.

Thank you so much for my arc copy of this book.

Ava is a princess who prefers to keep a low profile except when hosting the annual Christmas charity event. She’s planned the entire event but when her mother leaves her in charge of her new dog, Stormy, things quickly fall apart. Stormy destroys everything in sight and then comes up missing. Ava teams up with Justin, an American dog trainer/veterinarian hired by her mother to train Stormy before the charity event. But how do you train a dog you can’t find?

Justin takes Ava out of her comfort zone, makes her laugh, and seems to actually care about her. More than can be said of the duke she’s supposed to marry and who she was supposed to announce her engagement to on the night of the charity event, but her mother hasn’t yet given permission.

Such a fun holiday read where secrets are revealed, family becomes closer, love blossoms, and Stormy is found safe and sound where least expected.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is a heartwarming, delightful Christmas sweet romance. Princess Ava is planning the Christmas party that she wants to be perfect. She is very meticulous and organized and picky. When her free spirit mother, the queen shows up with a border collie, she is not happy. When Stormy runs away, she needs the dog trainer Justin to help her find him. As they spend time looking everywhere for this dog, the sparks start, their chemistry is strong, their banter is wonderful and some royal drama as well. I enjoyed so much this delightful Christmas romance and hope you will too.

Princess Ava is busy planning the perfect Christmas Eve event in honour of her late father. Things are going according to plan except when Ava’s mother the Queen announces that they will now have a royal dog which will be introduced at the event. Along with the mischievous dog comes his trainer, Justin. Justin is laid back and ready to take on Ava and Stormy the dog. The Queen announces she is going on a short trip and trusts that Ava will have everything under control. It sounds good except for when Stormy the rambunctious pup decides to escape. What happens next is a whirlwind chase through the town and countryside trying to catch Stormy. Can Ava and Justin find Stormy before Christmas Eve? Will they find more than just an adorable dog when they spend time together?

This book was such a fun read. The characters are all witty and I loved the banter between them all. It was a fresh fun plot and the story kept me engaged throughout the book. Thank you to the author Karen Schaler, HawkTale Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced readers copy which I voluntarily read and reviewed. The perfect holiday story friends.

I loved this story.
Princess Ava always do everything by the book, till, she finds out that her mother, The Queen, got a puppy. Puppy, names Stormy, brings new meaning to his name. Stormy needs training, that's where, Justin comes. He will train Stormy.
But, what happens after Queen decide to go on vacation and Stormy goes missing.
Loved reading this story, awesome storytelling.

A Ruff Royal Christmas is by award winning holiday storyteller Karen Schaler. In this story the reader is taken to the small principality of Skydovia in Eastern Europe. It is the first Christmas after the passing of Prince Frederick, husband to ruler Queen Kathleen and father of Princess Ava. Queen Kathleen is free spirited whereas both her late husband and Princess Ava are strictly regimented.

The uptight princess is following checklists trying to make it the perfect Christmas charity ball while her mother is adopting an unruly border collie pup. Living up to his name, Stormy creates havoc. However, Queen Kathleen has engaged American veterinarian and dog trainer Justin Erikson to train the misbehaving pup. When Justin arrives to pick up Stormy, the queen has already departed for Paris, and vendors are in and out of the castle. While speaking with Princess Ava, Justin realizes the dog is missing and it’s assumed that Stormy has run away. The next days are a chase to reported sitings, and dodging paparazzi, falling trees, then blizzard weather culminating with the Queen’s return.

This is a sweet Christmas tale of misadventure and a misbehaving pup, but while witty and well written there are some deeper threads buried beneath the well plotted tale. These threads point out a woman’s independence, controlling men, and how one can become prisoner to tradition. I very much enjoyed this story and do recommend it!

Princess Ava is not only royal, she's a scientist and inventor, using new technology around the castle to improve decorating for the annual Christmas party. Her mother, the queen, adopts a puppy, who causes mayhem. The queen's solution is to use a puppy trainer, and Ava is supposed to work with him, as the queen goes on a getaway.
Justin is a veterinarian who prefers training dogs and carefully finding their furever homes. The queen has been a wonderful benefactress, so when she asks for his help, he can't say no. He and Ava get off on the wrong foot.
Spending time together, they get to know each other better, especially when Stormy is on the loose. But Ava's father arranged a marriage for her when she was a child, and she feels the duty to marry another, even though it is not a love match, plus Just in going back to America.
Can they find Stormy before the queen returns, will they get the decorations up in time for the charity event of the season, will Ava follow her heart in love, can Justin decide which job he wants for his future, and will the happily ever after include a furever home?
A heartwarming Royal Christmas romance!

Thank you NetGalley for this sweet ARC for my honest review. I really enjoyed this Sweet Christmas romance. Princess Ava is in the middle of planning their Christmas charity event in honor of her father when her Mom brings home an unruly dog, Stormy. They certainly gave him the correct name. He blew through and literally destroyed her Christmas decorations putting her way behind on the party preparations. Her Mom has hired Justin, the Dog Whisperer, to hopefully get this dog under control. In the mean time, Ava is supposed to to get engaged to Henry her long time arranged marriage at their party. However, Mom isn’t too happy about this. So she hasn’t given her approval, yet. Now in the midst of the storms, Mom decides to take a trip to Paris leaving Stormy in her care until Justin shows up. Needless to say, the storm breaks lose. Stormy has become an escape artist and Everyone spends all their time chasing this dog all over town trying to capture him. Ava is paired up with Justin and this might not have been a good idea…………but then again, maybe it is. You will love this heartwarming Hallmark Christmas story. I can’t wait for you to see how this story plays out.

The Queen’s naughty new border collie erupts chaos for Princess Ava’s planning of the Christmas party when it gets lost. As Christmas is near Ava must pair up with the care free American dog trainer Justin to try to find Stormy. Justin’s used to corralling strays not royal runaways.

Ava’s conviction to follow royal protocol creates sparks with the rule-breaking free Justin. An evident chemistry builds between the two while they search for Stormy through the sparkling Christmas market, holiday festivities and snowy winter wonderlands.

It gets harder and harder to fight the budding attraction as the more time they spend together. But the duke and Ava are promised to each other. Will Ava stay on the conventional safe path or risk it all to go by her heart?

A heartwarming and enchanting royal RomCom holiday story. Perfect for Hallmark fans. It was an unputdownable book! Had me wanting to read more to see what exciting situations would happen next. A magical winter wonderland. Loved that a mischievous dog was showcased throughout the novel. This is my first book by Karen Schaler and won’t be my last! A must read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers in letting me read this book and allowing me to leave an honest review.

Need Christmas spirit? Read this book! The most fun Christmas story for dog and Christmas lovers! Drama in the best way, that leads you to the hot vet! So fun and will have you laughing and swooning outloud!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

A Ruff Royal Christmas was a quick read! it was like reading a Hallmark movie. Super cute and cozy! I love the heartwarming Christmas books and this was fantastic.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this fantastic new Christmas read. What a great way to start off the Christmas season! It's going to be hard to find other books to compare. This book was so cute! There were definitely some lines in the beginning that had me laughing. I wish there were an epilogue as I wanted to see a little bit more of their future but overall a cute Christmas read.

A Ruff Royal Christmas is a heartwarming story that touched all the right places for me. Royalty falling for a commoner, check. Adorable, mischief making dog too smart for his own good, check. Friends and family who want the best for princess, even defying tradition, check. Warm and quaint descriptions of the Christmas village and townspeople who represent the community, check. I loved all the central and supporting characters. I loved Justin’s role as a dog trainer, vet by trade, who is not afraid to call out the princess and treat her as a person with wants, dreams, and talents. He sees her and I love how it draws her out of her rigid, royal shell. The queen is a hoot, and I thought her role was just perfect. Ava is layered and it took a few chapters for her to grown on me, but when she did, I really enjoyed her growth and development.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

I devoured this book and read it in a few short hours. I was hooked from the start, and as it progressed, it was basically unputdownable for me.

It's a mix of small Eastern European royal family (with a Princess Diaries type of vibe for the country), with a rather chaotic border collie, a Queen who is a bit of a rebel and her daughter Princess Ava who is a stickler for rules and duty.

When Ava manages to lose her mum's new dog Stormy when she is meant to be handing him over to dog trainer extraordinaire Justin.

What follows is a race against time with Ava and Justin searching the kingdom for Stormy, with multiple sightings of him, various situations that lead to them really getting to know each other. And for Ava she has to work out what to do for the best as she is meant to be getting engaged to Duke Henry.

I absolutely adored getting to know Ava and Justin, in addition to the Queen. I loved the hidden parts of Ava's personality that the public knew nothing about. I enjoyed seeing Justin overcome his fears in the pursuit of Stormy. And I loved Justin's passion for dog training, and for matching the right dog with the right home.

This is the first book that I have read by Karen Schaler and I am now delighted to have discovered her, as based on this, she is my sort of author. I definitely will need to keep an eye out for her future releases as I loved this one so so much. I could see the story play out so clearly, and it would make for a fabulous Hallmark Christmas movie too.

So so enjoyable and it totally chased my splitting headache away too while I was absorbed by this story. Just a sheer delight to read.

Thank you to Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Another fun holiday story from Karen Schaler. With the aid of one cantankerous dog, a handsome Vet/dog trainer, and a winter wonderland the Princess Ava begins to doubt her upcoming arranged engagement to a stuffy Duke. There's a bit of romance, frolicking in the snow, visiting a Christmas Market, and Christmas Tree Farm for Ava to realize her future could be more fun than she's imagined.

A wonderful book to start your holiday reading. Although I received a free ARC ebook from Net Galley and the publisher all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Karen is my favourite Author for Christmas and nothing but exceptional ever comes out from reading her special books.
It captures every special moment and how magical the season is along with total romance as its best. It will sweep you off your feet and feel like your in the book, its just magical. The brilliance of her writing style and the amazing characters that add to the charm of the story.
I always love a good cheeky dog in a book, especially this one that holds a main portion of the story.
LOVED IT

This is such an amazing heartwarming Christmas romance! I've now found another amazing author to add to my list of favorites. This is the first book of Karen Schalers and it did not disappoint. I will be reading more of her Christmas books.
Thank you Karen Schaler and NetGalley for allowing me to read A Ruff Royal Christmas.
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The author is very engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Would highly recommend!

Think Netflix Christmas movies, but in book form—you won’t want to stop reading! I give it 5 ⭐ rating!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this ARC!

This book was quite an adventure for Princess Ava of Skydovia and Justin, a dog trainer for Puppy Bootcamp from New York. I enjoyed the Christmas theme and arranged marriage theme between Princess Ava and Duke Henry. The characters pulled me into the story as the prim and proper princess showed a different side of herself with Justin when they were searching for Stormy, the Queen's puppy. It was a really fun book to read with great surprises along the way. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review

A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler is everything I want in a holiday rom-com... sparkly, sweet, funny, and overflowing with festive magic.
Princess Ava is determined to pull off a flawless Christmas Eve charity event… until Stormy, the Queen’s adorable but chaotic border collie, escapes and turns the palace upside down. Enter Justin, the charming, easygoing American dog trainer who is the complete opposite of Ava and absolutely the last person she wants to rely on. Naturally, he’s also the exact person she needs.
Their search through Christmas markets, snowy adventures, and twinkly royal backdrops is pure holiday joy. Watching Ava slowly shed her strict sense of duty—and Justin get pulled into the wonder of royal traditions, creates a chemistry that feels both magical and deeply human. And yes, the tension is chef’s kiss.