The Pet Doctor: when a small town vet falls in love with the local wedding planner

The Pet Doctor is the third book in the Emerson Pass Contemporaries series by Tess Thompson. Breck Stokes returns to Emerson Pass to take over his mother’s veterinarian clinic. He loves being back home in his small town and loves animals and the occasional nap. He can’t explain it but he is drawn to the lovely but reserved Tiffany Birt. Tiffany arrived in Emerson Pass and soon became their favorite wedding planner. What her friends don’t know is that she hides behind a wall and holds a secret of a haunting childhood. When her past becomes national news, she must decide if she continues to hide or confront her demons and make sure those who hurt her and others pay. Will she be free at last and be able to pursue a future with Breck? Or will the men from her past continue to haunt her? 

The Pet Doctor was a sweet, funny and dramatic clean romance. The story opens as Tiffany breaks free from the cult that wanted to bind her into servitude. She builds her life and settles in Emerson Pass where she catches the attention of Breck. Breck is sweet and quiet who has his own traumatic past. However, when he learns of Tiffany’s past, he becomes the support she needs. I loved them together and their romance was sweet. The drama about the cult was doing well without being overwhelming to the overarching story. There was also drama between Breck and his mother that was well done as well and I cheered when he finally spoke his mind. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend The Pet Doctor. I do recommend you start with book 1, The Sugar Queen. 

The Pet Doctor is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

First Instinct: a powerful and dramatic story of love and friendship

First Instinct is the first book in the Northstar series by Suzie O’Connell. It is the story of Nick Hammond and his best friend, Beth Carlyle. Nick and Beth had been best friends since childhood as their families have neighboring ranches. Nick saves Beth from an attack from Beth’s boyfriend, Trey. The two become entangled in a series of harassments and accusations as Nick tries to help Beth heal from her attack as well as shield her from further guilt and shame. When Trey accused Nick of assault, Beth must come to a difficult decision, does she tell the truth behind Nick’s attack on Trey? Can she find the strength and courage to speak up despite the ramifications from the community? Or will she be intimidated into silence?

I thoroughly enjoyed First Instinct as a sweet story of protective friendship between Nick and Beth as well as the drama of Beth’s attack and the aftermath. Nick is the quintessential knight in shining armor as he comes to Beth’s defense time and time again. However, Beth is not the typical damsel in distress as she learns to fight back and decides enough’s enough. I look forward to reading more books in this series. I recommend First Instinct.

 

First Instinct is available in paperback and eBook