Every Dog Has His Day
Bluff Point, Book #3
By Jenn McKinlay
ISBN# 9780399584763
Author’s website: http://www.jennmckinlay.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Bluff Point brewery owner Zachary Caine wants nothing to do with commitment. His wild bachelor lifestyle suits him perfectly—until a foster kitten named Chaos makes him a reluctant hero. Now he’s BFFs with the kitten’s two little girls and finds himself falling for their gorgeous mother, who couldn’t think less of him.
Divorced mother Jessie Connelly wants nothing to do with men like Zach. He’s sexy and charismatic and bad news, just like her ex. But her girls adore him, and he’s doing a good job filling in for their deadbeat dad. Then a snowstorm brings out the best in both neighbors, who, it turns out, have more in common than their mutual attraction…
So when Jessie’s past threatens her and her girls, Zach is determined to do whatever it takes to protect them—and live happily ever after with this family he has made his own.
Review:
Every Dog Has His Day makes me happy. It is a sweet, feel good contemporary romance featuring a confirmed playboy bachelor and his single mother neighbor. Throw together good romantic chemistry, a couple of over-the-top adorable little girls, and a wonderful dog and kitten, and McKinlay has penned a winner. McKinlay continues to make a romance novel convert out of me.
Zach is coasting along in life, enjoying his job, his group of friends, and his foster dog, clueless to what is missing from his life. He has been burned by a love interest before and is committed to maintaining his casual, shallow dating practices. And he certainly does not have any interest in his veterinarian friend’s office manager. That is, until her two little girls come knocking on his door seeking assistance in rescuing their kitten. After a horrible fist marriage, Jessie has sworn off men, especially charming, handsome guys like Zach. She thinks she has him pegged as a user until he comes to her and her girls’ aid during a blizzard. Can the two of them get past their baggage to build a life together?
I admit it, I am a little in love with Zach. He actually reminds me a bit of my husband, not the lothario version of Zach but his true self – his kindness, ease with children, good heart, and his ability to make everyone laugh and feel better. I have a feeling that any life problem is more easily faced with Zach by one’s side. When Jessie was introduced earlier in the series, I did not care for her, but here we see the real woman behind her defenses. She has definitely faced more than her fair share of hardships. Zach and Jessie have undeniable chemistry, and it is fun to watch them fight it and then eventually play out. But, to me, Zach’s relationship with girls Maddie and Gracie is the shining star of the book. Such unselfish love. These are people who are destined to be together, fitting together like a perfect jigsaw puzzle. Readers cannot help but root for Zach and Jessie.
McKinlay’s style is relaxed and compulsively readable. The pace is good throughout the story, and there is a bit of peril thrown in to ramp up the reader’s emotions. My only quibble, and it is a small one, is the resolution of the problem with the girls’ grandfather. It was too swift and easy. Just as a side note, I would never do a group text with my “friends” like Jessie did asking for advice. Perhaps I am too old and endlessly not hip.
I highly recommend Every Dog Has His Day to any contemporary romance reader (and us cozy readers who have followed McKinlay across the genre line).
