Declan Mahoney and Evie Hewitt are childhood best friends who become young lovers on one summer night in the Carolina mountains. But the next morning, they learn Declan’s firefighter father has been killed while saving Evie’s family and home. Consumed by grief, and determined to take up his responsibility as the oldest Mahoney sibling, Declan turns from Evie. That heartbreak sends her running halfway across the state, rarely seeing Declan over the next twenty years. But when Evie comes back to Bitter Bark, a couple of meddling grannies who call themselves the Dogmothers hatch their plan to rekindle this romance. They arrange a "chance" meeting and plant some surprises along the way.
When she sees Declan, Evie is knocked over by emotions for the firefighter who might just be the reason she’s forty, childless, and dedicated to her career. She’s also nearly knocked over by the Husky-Malamute mix at his side. With an unexpected assist from a dog who’d been surrendered at the fire station, Declan decides he can’t miss this chance to reconnect with the woman he’s never forgotten. It doesn’t take long for old feelings to burn hot…and it doesn’t take long for Evie, a veterinary neurologist, to notice something's not quite right with the gorgeous dog Declan’s about to put up for adoption.
As they work together to help Judah, more than one creature is healed. Evie starts to demolish the walls grief had raised around Declan’s heart, and he reawakens her dreams of marriage and motherhood. But as they fall back into each other’s arms, Declan discovers the truth about his father’s death, and that revelation threatens more than their love…it could threaten their lives. Will Evie and Declan’s dreams be destroyed by tragedy? Or can they finally let go of the past so they can take hold of the future…together?
All of the covers of The Dogmothers were all photographed at Alaqua Animal Refuge in Florida using rescue dogs from the shelter, and "local heroes" as models. A portion of book sales is donated to that amazing organization!
The Dogmothers - a spinoff series from the popular "Dogfather" books
Once Daniel Kilcannon, a widower with six unmarried kids, has orchestrated wonderfully happy endings for all his offspring and found one of his own, a new matchmaking team takes over in Bitter Bark, North Carolina. Meet Yiayia and Gramma Finnie. One has the steel spine of a Greek warrior, the other has the sweet soul of an Irish poet. Together, along with two darling dachshunds, these Dogmothers won't stop until all nine of their grandchildren are hooked, hitched, and happy.
Release Date: September 25, 2020
South Street Publishing
The Dogmothers #5
Contemporary Romance
Review copy provided by publisher
Liza's Review:
Man's Best Friend is the newest installment in The Dogmothers series from Roxanne St. Claire. Declan Mahoney and Evie Hewitt have been best friends since they were kids, and discovered they shared a birthday. They spent each birthday together until they returned from their birthday camping trip to discover Declan's father had died in a house fire saving Evie's family and home. Declan completely closed off basically from everyone and stepped up to fill his father's shoes, and lost his best friend Evie in the process.
Man's Best Friend was such an emotional read for me. My heart broke for both Evie and Declan as the story started. I lost my mom in a house fire when I was young, so I understood some of what Declan was feeling when it came to losing his dad. I just wanted to hug both Declan and Evie, especially when Declan pretty much shut down for years. I would almost say Declan was almost just living a half-life for the 20 years they were apart. Not only did he end a friendship with Evie that morning, but they had just taken their relationship to the next level and had all the plans for their future right within their grasp.
I absolutely loved that Declan and Evie were brought together thanks to the Dogmothers and Evie's grandfather, but it was a dog abandoned at the fire station that initially kept them spending more time together. Evie is a brilliant veterinarian neurologist who is the best in her field and just who Declan needs to help out Judah. While there were a few bumps along the road for Declan and Evie, I felt how much they loved each other from day one. Even after 20 years apart, they seemed to pick right back up with their inside jokes and banter, and their chemistry was amazing. I loved how important their families were to both, and I especially loved the newest dog in the series, Judah. I loved the little family Declan and Evie made with Judah. Seriously all the feels as I read this story.
I was completely charmed by their second chance romance, and loved how many emotions I experienced while reading this story. Roxanne St. Claire is the master of the sexy, sweet, funny, and heartwarming stories, and Man's Best Friend was another winner in this series. I absolutely devoured this story and can't wait to be back with the Dogmothers and their families again soon.
Rating: 5 Stars (A+)
MAN'S BEST FRIEND BUY LINKS:
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