#Review / #Giveaway – Every Dog Has His Day (A Bluff Point Romance) by Jenn McKinlay

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Every once in a while I like to take a break from mysteries and enjoy a little romance. Thanks to Jenn McKinlay, last few months I have fallen in love with the residents of Bluff Point, Maine. This third book in the series is the story of Zach Caine, local brewery owner, and his neighbor, Jessie Connelly. He doesn’t do commitment and she is getting over a rocky divorce.

Zach meets Jessie’s daughters when he answers the pounding on his front door. They beg him to help rescue their kitten from a very precarious situation. He soon finds himself wanting to not only spend more time with the girls but their mother as well. When a snowstorm hits and the city loses power Zach decides to take his dog and ride out the storm with Jessie and the girls. They all get very close, like a real family, but will the sparks remain when the power comes back on and daily life, jobs, friends, and ex-inlaws enter the picture?

Both Zach and Jessie have been hurt in the past and have put up walls. Their relationship happens very quickly but they do learn a lot about each other while snowed in. It was Zach’s relationship with Maddie and Gracie that warmed my heart right up. Their father is not involved in their lives at all and Zach sees a huge void that needs to be filled. He pitches right in, reading bedtime stories, having snowball fights and even nurtures their new musical talents. He also steps up to protect the girls and Jessie when someone makes some very unreasonable demands. A minor character plays a huge part in this drama that didn’t have to happen. I wanted to reach into the pages and give the woman a high five and a hug.

Jenn McKinlay continues to create strong characters that I have quickly come to love, including some adorable pets. Their dialogues are perfect, dramatic when need be, and funny when appropriate. The romantic moments were passionate and vivid. The chemistry was apparent from the beginning and continued to grow as the characters evolved in their realization that they could really be happy together for more than just a fling. I was very impressed at how fleshed all of the characters were. We really got to know Maddie and Gracie too. They are a huge part of the story, not background characters. They are both seen and heard. Jessie is an excellent mother and it shows in her girl’s thoughts and actions.

The friend dynamic drives the story in some critical moments. Jessie has not really had a group of friends supporting her before but she is easily accepted into the group of Zach’s friends. She has a huge secret and is brave enough to share it with her new girlfriends in the group. Zach needs a little help understanding that yes, he is falling in love, and his friends make him aware as only true friends can.

I have loved each book in this series. They are stories life, love, and friendship. Heartwarming, every one. I cannot pick a favorite, I recommend all three. Every Dog Has His Day is a perfect book to curl up and read in front of a fire on a cold winter’s night. This romance will warm you right up and the happy ending will leave a huge smile on your face. I am beyond excited for the next book in this series.