Review copy was received from Library, NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs Narrator: Sophie Amoss
Published by Avon, William Morrow on October 17, 2023
Genres: Life Fiction
Pages: 256
Length: 8 hours, 14 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: Library, NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Brenda Malloy wants nothing to do with Christmas ever again. Last year, Brenda and her husband rushed their beloved dog Tim to the emergency vet on Christmas eve. The good Tim survived after the vet cleared the obstruction--a pair of women’s lace undies. The bad the undies were not Brenda’s.
A year after the breakup, Brenda has put her life back together. She’s trained for a marathon, is writing a children’s novel, and she’s found purpose and healing as a volunteer with a dog rescue organization in Houston, Texas. The rescue partners with a program in Avalon, New York--a small, snowy town deep in the Catskills. Now Brenda is arranging the transport of rescued dogs from Houston to Avalon—just in time for a merry Christmas with their forever families. Brenda’s friends worry about her driving a van two thousand miles with twelve dogs in crates, but she shrugs off their concern. How hard can it be? She knows the way, and she’s just looking to escape the Christmas overload for a while.
But a blinding snowstorm, an escaped mutt, and a life-saving encounter with Adam Bellamy—a single dad and paramedic—means Brenda has to stay in Avalon longer than she planned. As she drops off each precious pup at their new homes, some of the comfort and joy of the season begins to creep up on Brenda despite her determination to avoid the holidays. Perhaps you can bring Christmas into your heart after all...if you have the right furry friends to guide the way.
I am a fan of this author and couldn’t wait to read about the dogs. Brenda has had some bad life experiences around Christmas so she is determined to avoid it going forward. She has done a great job of picking herself up and making a great new life in spite of those bad events. Her clinging to the negative was a bit over the top.
Adam is an awesome, kind guy who really supported Brenda from their first meeting. It was a bit insta. He was adorable with his son, as was Brenda. I wish the dogs had been a bit more central to the story with more of their personalities.
There is plenty of holiday cheer and kindness which is upbeat, along with some realistic difficulties. The relationship with Adam and Brenda was fast, but I couldn’t help rooting for them. I liked the characters and wanted them to be happy. They had good hearts in the right place.
Narration:
I was happy to be able to get the audio book from the library. I believe it enhanced my enjoyment to have the audio performance. The voices felt comfortable and appropriate. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Susan Wiggs
Susan Wiggs’s life is all about family, friends…and fiction. She lives at the water’s edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers’ group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field’s End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world’s top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She’s been featured in the national media, including NPR’s “Talk of the Nation,” and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
Glad you enjoyed this despite the insta romance. I was drawn to the dogs, too😏
Of the dogs are the biggest draw! I want to read more about them.
I’ve been requesting library audios for some of my review books I haven’t had time to fit in. It really helps. Sounds like a solid romance. Lately I’ve been in the mood for thrillers and suspense, a little romance in there is nice too, but I’m good with it not being the main focus. It seems like you’ve been feeling the same.
yes. Sometimes I need something more complex than romance with more layers. I wanted more dogs here.
I’ve got this one on my Christmas reading list…mostly for the dogs, but Adam also sounds really great. 😀
Adam is really great. It’s got likeable characters and dogs. I wanted more dog time.
The title of this one piqued my interest… it sounds like an enjoyable holiday read.
I liked it, the characters are great. I just want more dog time.
Puppies!!!!!!
yes I wanted more of them too.
I enjoyed this one a bit more than you did but I agree that it would have been better with more focus on the dogs. Great review!
Thanks Suzanne. I just expected a little more dog time and focus. I liked the characters of the couple, maybe it was a little too easy with the big geographic situation and very short time knowing each other, too.
I’ve enjoyed Susan Wiggs’ books in the past and this looks so cozy and Christmasy!
I’ve really enjoyed Wiggs also. This was a little over the top but the characters were very likable.
I’ve been seeing this one everywhere, and while I don’t read this author, I do love the cover and the idea! Thanks for sharing!
I really enjoy this author but I had different expectations for this book with more dog time which didn’t happen.