In Dog We Trust by Beth Kendrick

In Dog We Trust by Beth Kendrick

January 2019 – Berkley

Book provided by the publisher

Description:  From the author of Once Upon a Wine, a new novel set in the charming seashore town of Black Dog Bay, Delaware.

When everything has gone to the dogs . . .

When Jocelyn Hillier is named legal guardian for the late Mr. Allardyce’s pack of pedigreed Labrador retrievers, her world is flipped upside down. She’s spent her entire life toiling in the tourism industry in Black Dog Bay and never expected to be living the pampered life of a seasonal resident in an ocean side mansion, complete with a generous stipend. But her new role isn’t without its challenges: The dogs (although lovable) are more high-maintenance than any Hollywood diva, the man she wants to marry breaks her heart, and she’s confronted at every turn by her late benefactor’s estranged son, Liam, who thinks he’s entitled to the inheritance left to the dogs.

Jocelyn has worked too hard to back down without a fight, and she’s determined to keep her new fur family together. As she strives to uphold the “Best in Show” standards her pack requires, Jocelyn finds love, family, and forgiveness in the most unexpected places.

My take:  I thoroughly enjoyed In Dog We Trust. How could I not enjoy a book that involves adorable dogs (I mean, come on – that cover!), a seaside setting, likeable characters (for the most part) and an entertaining plot. There are shenanigans involving a will, dog people, and assorted other people. It all adds up to a perfect vacation read – could be read on a cross-country flight – or when you’re in the mood for a light, funny read. In Dog We Trust is book 4 in the Black Dog Bay series but it can stand alone.

---

Praise for Beth Kendrick and her novels:

 

Witty, juicy, and lots of fun!”

―Susan Mallery, New York Times bestselling author of The Girls of Mischief Bay

“A smart, funny spin on happily-ever-after!”

―Beth Harbison, New York Times bestselling author of One Less Problem Without You

“Kendrick proves she is the leader of the pack when it comes to fashioning cheekily clever love stories.”

―Booklist (starred review)

---

Once Upon A Wine by Beth Kendrick

• Title:  Once Upon A Wine
• Series:  Black Dog Bay, #4
• Author:  Beth Kendrick
• Pages:  336
• Genre:  Women’s Fiction
• Published:  July 2016 – NAL
• Source:  Publisher; NetGalley

Description: From the “sharp, sassy, [and] surprisingly emotional”* author of Put a Ring on It, New Uses for Old Boyfriends, and The Week Before the Wedding, a new novel set in the charming seaside town of Black Dog Bay, Delaware…
 
Cammie Breyer needs a big glass of cabernet—her restaurant failed and her chef boyfriend left for a hotter kitchen. Just when she thinks she’s hit rock bottom, her Aunt Ginger calls with a surprise. She’s bought a vineyard. In Delaware. At Ginger’s command, Cammie returns to Black Dog Bay, the seaside town where she spent her childhood summers with her aunt and her cousin, Kat.
 
The three women reunite, determined to succeed. There’s only one little problem: None of them know the first thing about wine making. And it turns out, owning a vineyard isn’t all wine and roses. It’s dirt, sweat, and desperation. Every day brings financial pitfalls, unruly tourists, romantic dilemmas, and second thoughts.  But even as they struggle, they cultivate hidden talents and new passions. While the grapes ripen under the summer sun, Cammie discovers that love, like wine, is layered, complex, delicious, and worth waiting for…  (publisher)

My take:  When Cammie’s aunt buys a vineyard on a whim she calls her niece and daughter for help. Cammie doesn’t have anything to lose at this point so she leaves California and all her disappointments for a new adventure at the Delaware shore. She also reconnects with Ian, the guy she left behind years earlier to pursue her dreams. Cousin Kat, Aunt Ginger’s daughter, is in the middle of an early mid-life crisis. Will she be able to get it together enough to help her mom and cousin make a go of the vineyard?

Once Upon a Wine is the latest addition to the Black Dog Bay series. It features a new dog, the vineyard’s new mascot, Jacques. He has his own twitter account that soon rivals a Kardashian’s! While the women wait for the grapes to ripen they hope to find success with their strawberry wine. They’ll also learn if the adage “Bloom where you’re planted” will hold true.

I thought this book was very cute and funny and sweet. If you’re familiar with the Black Dog Bay series you’ll recognize many of the characters from previous books who make appearances. But the book can stand on its own. It’s a light, fun novel that is perfect for a beach read. Recommended to fans of the series, Beth Kendrick, and novels featuring adorable dogs.

---

About the author:  Beth Kendrick is the author of twelve women’s fiction novels, including Put a Ring on It, New Uses for Old Boyfriends, Cure for the Common Breakup, The Week Before the Wedding, The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service, and Nearlyweds, which was turned into a Hallmark Channel original movie. She lives in Arizona with two big rescue mutts and vacations at the Delaware beach, where she devotes a great deal of time to eating local strawberries and drinking wine. You know, for research. Visit her online at BethKendrick.com, Facebook.com/BethKendrickBooks, and @BKendrickBooks.

Put A Ring On It by Beth Kendrick

• Title:  Put A Ring On It
• Series:  Black Dog Bay #3
• Author:  Beth Kendrick
• Genre:  Chick Lit; Romance
• Pages:  320
• Published:  November 2015 – NAL
• Source:  Publisher; NetGalley

Description:  Brighton Smith doesn’t do outrageous. As an insurance actuary, it’s her job to assess risk and avoid bad investments. But when her fiancé calls to confess he’s married someone else on a whim (“I looked at her and I just knew!”), she snaps…

That night, at a local bar, Jake Sorensen—hot, rich, and way out of her league—buys Brighton a cocktail. At midnight, she kisses him. And by dawn, they’re exchanging vows at a drive-through chapel.

Brighton knows Jake is a bad bet, but she doesn’t care. After a lifetime of playing it safe, she’s finally having fun. Until the whirlwind romance gives way to painful reality…and Brighton finds out the truth about why a guy like Jake married a girl like her. With her heart on the line and the odds stacked against them, Brighton must decide whether to cut her losses or take a leap of faith that this love affair is one in a million.  (publisher)

My take:  I read the second book in the Black Dog Bay series so I was familiar with some of the characters (including Jake) as well as the scenic beach town of Black Dog Bay. For some reason this little town attracts women who’ve recently gone through a break-up.

Brighton is a by-the-book, serious woman who plays it safe. When her fiancé asks for the ring back she decides to visit Black Dog Bay where her best friend from college has opened a practice (she’s a therapist). She meets Jack at the local pub and her life takes an unexpected turn.

Jake is a man of mystery and he seems intent on keeping it that way. That’s why I had a hard time believing Brighton would become involved with him. I guess she went a little crazy and then just went with it. It may sound as if I didn’t like the book but I really did. I thought that, despite their ridiculous situation, these two had real chemistry. Their entertaining dialogue often had me laughing. All in all, I was pleased with how their story wrapped up.

I’d recommend Put A Ring On It to fans of Beth Kendrick, the Black Dog Bay series, and fun, romantic novels.

Blog Tour: New Uses for Old Boyfriends by Beth Kendrick

• Title:  New Uses for Old Boyfriends
• Author:  Beth Kendrick
• Genre:  Contemporary Fiction; Chick Lit
• Published:  February 2015 – NAL Trade
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  After growing up in privilege and marrying into money, Lila Alders has gotten used to the good life. But when her happily-ever-after implodes, Lila must return to Black Dog Bay, the tiny seaside town where she grew up. She’s desperate for a safe haven, but everything has changed over the past ten years. Her family’s fortune is gone—and her mother is in total denial. It’s up to Lila to take care of everything…but she can barely take care of herself.

The former golden girl of Black Dog Bay struggles to reinvent herself by opening a vintage clothing boutique. But even as Lila finds new purpose for outdated dresses and tries to reunite with her ex, she realizes that sometimes it’s too late for old dreams. She’s lost everything she thought she needed but found something—someone—she desperately wants. A boy she hardly noticed has grown up into a man she can’t forget…and a second chance has never felt so much like first love.  (publisher)

My take:  Lila Alders may have lived a sheltered life once upon a not so distant time ago but now she has to be the one in charge. She’ll have to be the one to get her life back on track. She recently came through a divorce that left her with a big SUV (or FUV as she refers to it) and her clothes. After pawning her wedding rings she heads to her hometown, Black Dog Bay, Delaware. That’s where she finds her recently widowed mother, Daphne, in complete denial about her finances. It seems Lila’s father left her with a lot of debt. The house needs to be sold to pay a mountain of bills.

The mother-daughter dynamic made for interesting scenes. Outspoken Daphne is not afraid to say anything about anything to her daughter. Lila is compelled to stand up to her mother and lead the way out of their money problems. The fashion fates smile on Lila and Daphne and they begin to crawl out from under their seemingly insurmountable challenges. There’s more than just furniture and memories under the roof of their gorgeous beachfront home and the two will find a way to make a go of a new venture.

This is a small town and most of the people will do anything for each other. They also gossip and stick their noses into other people’s business. That makes for comic relief and lots of interesting secondary characters. I liked the second chance relationship for Lila. Malcolm was perfect for her. Their repartee was fun as they got to know each other once again.

New Uses for Old Boyfriends is the perfect read for anyone who has the midwinter blahs. I enjoyed it and it made me long for a beach vacation. If you’re a fan of chick lit or contemporary fiction I recommend it!