All paws on deck!Carrie Burns has a successful business, a young son, Oliver, and an energetic Jack Russell terrier. She doesn’t have time in her busy schedule for her ex-husband and his talk of working together again. But when she runs into Lance in the dog park, their lives are turned upside down.Lance Donovan wants to promote his fledgling construction company by helping his brother Caleb with … with a big condo conversion. Lance even knows the perfect interior designer to make this project a success—his ex-wife, Carrie. But after a fateful meeting at the dog park, Lance finds himself not only petsitting both his brother’s dog and the beloved Jack Russell terrier he had to leave behind in the divorce, but babysitting a young son he never knew he had while his ex-wife tries to get back into dating. How did life get this crazy?Lance is determined to win back the love he thought he’d lost—but he’s going to need a lot of help from his furry friends.Fur Haven Dog Park Series: Cold Nose, Warm Heart (Book 1)Tail for Two (Book 2)Praise for Cold Nose, Warm Heart:”Full of humor and heart… Animal lovers will delight in the large cast of canine supporting characters in this well-paced romance.”—Publishers Weekly”In this delightful debut novel, Wells sets the stage for a warm-hearted series.”—Library Journal”A funny and sweet romance featuring dogs, Miami, and cantankerous grandparents.”—Booklist
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A TAIL FOR TWO, 2nd book of Fur Haven Dog Park series by Mara Wells, starts with Lance Donovan finding a Jack Russel dog, Beckham, with a little boy—his son he didn’t know existed. Carrie Burns has a successful business, and it never occurs to her that she would meet her ex-husband in the dog park. Lance and Carrie need to resolve their issues concerning Olive, their son, and the growing attraction between them. A TAIL FOR TWO is a delightful romance about Lance and Carrie having a second chance fall in love again with their cute three-year-old son and energetic Jack Russel in the mix. Mara Wells, being a dog lover herself, shares her love for animals into the lives of her characters and the importance of giving dogs much needed forever homes.
A Tail for Two is the second title in the Fur Haven Dog Park series and quite a second chance romance as well as an instant (hidden baby) fatherhood moment for Lance.
Once Carrie and Lance were married but issues developed, neither wanted to confront the other about what was now missing from their marriage and they separated to go their own ways – but not before one last night, and a pregnancy that neither expected.
Years later both have moved on in their chosen careers but neither has found that special someone to spend their lives with. A chance encounter at a dog park will bring them back into each other’s lives… and expose a secret that Carrie kept for far too long from her former husband and Oliver’s father.
I enjoyed A Tail for Two, adored little Oliver and the pups, liked even understood Lance, but I couldn’t wrap my mind around Carrie’s inability to commit to Lance again. Their marriage suffered from neglect, yes, but neither were abusive, neither cheated, they simply let other things become more important and didn’t do anything about it. So, Carrie was (and continues to be) the puzzle piece in this story for me. Being afraid of losing her son should Lance make that play might have been a reason I could understand. But they’ve both grown up in the years in between and Lance has shown his true colors and his devotion to their son… so I guess I’ll simply have to accept that Carrie will always be a puzzle for me but that I adored and liked the men in her life.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
This was more a story of a serious tone than the cozy I thought it would be. I think the name and the series title, “A Fur Haven Dog Park Novel” gave me the impression it would be lighter. My mistaken notion did not affect the enjoyment of this read. It turned out that the story had a lot more depth than I thought it would. It had its moments of humor. Having dogs involved can always put a smile on your face. While romance is not my favorite genre, this light romance had some realistic moments. Some things we must unfortunately deal with in everyday life.
While the characters and the dogs were well defined, I did get a little frustrated with Carrie’s on again off again dithering. Wanted to scream at her, “fall back in love or don’t”. Then again, maybe that’s the whole point of the story. Move the reader to feel, to emote.
A Tail for Two is Book 2 in the series of three books to date. While it can be read as a stand-alone, it was enjoyable and worth my time enough to hope Book 4 is in the making.
An enjoyable second chance romance, Tail for Two is the second book in the Fur Haven Dog Park series. I enjoyed the characters and the story and felt it was a good follow up to book 1. I will recommend and read more by this author.
I have to give Tail for Two by Mara Wells five stars. The simple reason is that the author took my least favorite trope – secret baby, then wrote a story that I didn’t want to put down. This divorce couple has some serious communication problems which lead to all their marital struggles. All of that comes out in this story with neither one being perfect nor being terrible either.
Carrie Burns has a full life now with work, a young son and a rumbustious dog. The surprise meeting between Cassie and ex-husband read as if it could happen just that way. The reasons for it all worked for me. I did want to shake the two of them a time or two. Wow, that sounds just like real life when I hear stories from people whose relationship could have survived. See what a compelling story this author wrote. Then, let’s not forget the endearing three year old Oliver or his companion, Beckham. Thank goodness for Fur Haven Dog Park a great place for dogs and their owners.
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the first book I’ve read by Mara Wells but it won’t be my last. I loved the story, the writing, the characters all of it. This is A charming second chance at love male/female romance. Really really enjoyed this book and look forward to more by this author
A Tail for Two
Fur Haven Dog Park Book 2
Mara Wells
https://www.facebook.com/marawellsauthor/
Release date 09/29/2020
Publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca
All paws on deck!
Carrie Burns has a successful business, a young son, Oliver, and an energetic Jack Russell terrier. She doesn’t have time in her busy schedule for her ex-husband and his talk of working together again. But when she runs into Lance in the dog park, their lives are turned upside down.
Lance Donovan wants to promote his fledgling construction company by helping his brother Caleb with a big condo conversion. Lance even knows the perfect interior designer to make this project a success—his ex-wife, Carrie. But after a fateful meeting at the dog park, Lance finds himself not only petsitting both his brother’s dog and the beloved Jack Russell terrier he had to leave behind in the divorce, but babysitting a young son he never knew he had while his ex-wife tries to get back into dating. How did life get this crazy?
Lance is determined to win back the love he thought he’d lost—but he’s going to need a lot of help from his furry friends.
Will she let her fears doom her second chance at love …
In my reads, I do like my heroes to not be coward and alas it is what Carrie became along the page of this read, she is the one impeding their chance at a second shot.
I tried to think about the whys behind her change of character, but not once did Lance threatened her. She is insecure of his reaction because of her own guilt.
I understand that in the heat of the moment at a time, she was unable to face him. But for three long years! Sure their circumstances were far from perfect when she learned of her pregnancy. Lance is no monster, their marriage had for certain fallen apart, but by choosing to hide their son’s existence, she deprived him from his choice to be or not a father for their kid.
Lance is in his right to be angry, and he is but he can’t turn back the clock, so he tries to make do with his new state as an instant-parent. It is not an easy task as there is no crash course as how to become a father in one day.
But this new knowledge make him reflect on their late marriage. Both were at fault. And their lack of communication by fear of confrontation doomed their union to an early grave.
I liked Lance, he is forthright, he made mistakes but he is willing to be the father his son might need. When Carrie plays hot and cold unable to decide what she wants but also afraid to live with her choice.
And while I was upset at Carrie, she is also a mother scared to loose her kid, Lance and his family were great and the fur friends full of fun.
4.5 stars
I was granted a copy by the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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What a fun filled, second chance story about family becoming one again. I was rooting for Carrie and Lance since they were introduced in the first story of the series, and I’m so happy that they got their HEA, along with little Oli. I love everything about this series and I can’t wait for the third one!!!
Wells has pulled off the rare, believable, secret baby book (not usually my cup of tea). She captures the combination of anger, sadness, and loss that Lance feels and makes the journey believable. Plus we get to catch up with all the residents of the Dorothy and see how the renovations are going. All in all, a super enjoyable read.
This is a secret baby/second chance romance about Carrie Burns and Lance Donovan. Lance runs into Carrie with her son, Oliver and his ex-dog Beckham and he’s surprised and angry that Carrie kept his son from him. You can’t really blame the guy, since Oliver is almost three. This isn’t a smooth road to a happily ever after for these two and I didn’t like how wishy-washy, for want of a better word, Carrie was. She wants Lance, she doesn’t want Lance. Then, don’t get me started on Lance babysitting, while Carrie goes on dates. I won’t leave any spoilers, so grab your copy and see if you agree with Carrie’s actions. I still need to go back and read how Caleb and Riley got together (and I will when time permits), but I’m looking forward to reading Knox’s story in the future.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Both the author and the series were new to me, so I was very interested in reading the book.
The story of Lance Donovan and Carrie Burns is one of second chances in love.
They had divorced a few years ago without further communication.
That is , until Lance is dog sitting his brother’s dog and while walking it to the local park, imagine his surprise when he encounters not only his ex Carrie, and a puppy, but also a three year old son he knew nothing about.
Needless to say, Lance is determined to know his son.
This second chance romance was not a smooth ride for the characters nor the reader. Both characters still had a way to go to mature. Also , for me, Lance was a more likable character than Carrie. I never felt a “connection” to her.
I also felt that by not having read book 1 in the series, I was missing some key background and information.
That said, if a new series is written by this author, I would give her another try.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Carrie Burns and Lance Donovan are divorced. Carrie has a secret. When she runs into Lance again a few years after their divorce she was surprised to see him. She took her almost three-year-old son Oliver and the Jack Russel Terrier Beckham that she and Lance once shared to Fur Haven Dog Park. That was the beginning of some back and forth encounters that changed their lives…for the better.
A Tail for Two by Mara Wells is the second book in her Fur Haven Dog Park series. This is a second chance romance. That second chance sure followed a very bumpy road. The conflict was well spelled out here but the resolution was a little long in coming. It was a little frustrating at times. The two main characters in this story are hard to like at times, especially Carrie. They are so very confused about what they want. I’m glad they finally got together. I did enjoy getting to see a lot of the characters from the first book in the series, Cold Nose, Warm Heart.