No good deed goes unpunished.When an unwanted Valentine’s Day present is dumped at the shelter, volunteer Lily decides to foster the poor dog herself. A little attention is all he needs to blossom into a loving pet, ready for his forever home. Plus, helping a poor, rejected animal will distract her from her own problems. Win, win. Right? Wrong. Valentine needs more than a makeover if he’s going … makeover if he’s going to be adopted. He destroys her home, hates to be groomed and when he behaves better for a perfect stranger than he does her, Lily swallows her pride and begs the good looking but quiet stranger for help
After losing his canine partner in a horrific moment that upended his future, sexy and stoic Shane turns to books, walks in the park and remodeling his grandmother’s home. No more intense K9 officer career, no more dogs, no more risks. But it’s hard to ignore the misunderstood mutt at the park and his well-intentioned, but clueless, handler. Shane reluctantly agrees to give her a few tips and tricks, but that’s all. He won’t care. He won’t get invested. And once Valentine finds his new home, his life can go back to normal.
But Shane doesn’t bargain on a new normal in town and, suddenly, Valentine’s Day will never be the same.
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Poor Valentine, pushed from home to home and abused. He gets fostered by Lily who has never looked after a dog on her own, only at the shelter. Their first walk is a disaster except for Shane who manages to calm poor Valentine down.
Before the know it words said in jest become a reality. They help each other from the romantic scheming of family. Lily agrees to help with the decorating of Shane’s grandmothers house and Shane helps her train Valentine.
Both hold secrets and fears and watching them grow and move forward whilst fostering Valentine was so heartwarming. Now they just have to make sure that someone will give him a forever home………..or will Valentine make them realise they are already his family…..
Having two rescues myself, this really hit home! I loved the characters and the feeling of both human and pet healing and loving.
Another great read from Roxanne Snopek. Her characters come alive on the page with real-life issues. Her hero just breaks your heart, and his reluctance to risk loss again feels very real. The dog, Valentine, has a heartbreak story of his own. Every reader who also loves dogs will want him to find his happily-ever-after, too.
3.5starsLilly and Shane meet because of a foster rescued dog, Valentine. Because both are oft set for a blind date from friends/family they agree to be a fake couple and in between helping eachother. Shane with dog training and Lily with redecorating Shanes grandmother house. In between they become to eachother so much more. They become support, and shoulder to cry one they learn to live with the past and to stand for themselves. Lovely book I just wish there would be a little more romance, we just see one kiss between them.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly
I loved this book – it provided very nice entertainment! The dog was so cute and as the rescuer of a twice refused pup, I understand what a tough, but so rewarding and worth-it job it can be. Fun!
Great book
Fun book – the dog is a delight to read about
Gives insight to how hard it is for our military to return to civilian life
Had tears in my eyes at the end of the story.
Romantic without disgusting graphic sex details.
Loved the whole, heartwarming story about what could have been the people in my city.
Loved it!!
Relaxing and enjoyable
Really loved this story, great beginning and ending. Highly recommend!!!!
I laughed and I cried while I read this story. Valentine brought it all together. Absolutely loved it!
I loved this book. When I started it, I was having a dreary day. It cured my attitude, and I fell in love with Valentine, the wonder dog. By the time I finished the book, I was ready to adopt a rescue.
A Dog Called Valentine isn’t a very deep story but it sure was fun, with a dog that is just about the best thing ever. He stole my heart before I was even a fifth of the way in! Shane also had a few heart-tugging moments and I definitely understand his hesitancy in getting too involved with anyone (whether they have 4 legs or 2) but Lily’s enthusiasm and need to make sure that Valentine gets a happy home is pretty compelling.
I think there was a lot more opportunity to delve into some of the family dynamics and the romance between Lily and Shane. Readers will get a satisfying and enjoyable read but I think there is so much material there between Shane’s issues and Lily’s family drama. Occasionally the timeline got a little wonky too but I can easily forgive that.
With an adorable matchmaking dog (and grandma) and a sweet ending (predictable but cute), Snopek delivers a lovely little story that is perfect for a pretty day sitting in the shade … or a cool day under a cozy blanket 🙂
(Overall a solid 3.5 Stars)
**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**
Such a sweet read. Perfect for all the dog lovers and Hallmark channel fans out there!!
Cute
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Valentine
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
What a wonderful, funny and yes even sweet and even at time teary read this book was. Author Roxanne Snopek penned the perfect well rounded book that had the perfect amount of every bit of of each bit of the ingredients that make a wonderful read story. This is one that had the right ones mixed into the pot and left to bake for the perfect Valentine and any time read.
Lily works at an animal shelter and while on “break” she decides to foster a dog. That dog ends up being central to this story. And his name is Valentine or Val. Val introduces Lily to Shane by way of running away. The way these 3 work together is unbelievable enjoyable and so much fun to read.
I love Shane’s grandma and think and hope that our author will give his her story as well some time in the future.
Loved it! A sweet tale of how a couple is brought together by a dog named Valentine. Lilly is volunteering at the shelter when Valentine is dropped off. She decides to take him in as a foster until his forever home can be found. She never expected him to be as unruly as he turned out to be. Knowing he would never get adopted without some training she sets out to teach him as best as she can. Problem is Valentine only seems to listen to the stoic stranger they stumbled upon in the park. Turns out that stranger is a former K9 officer who has recently been injured as well as losing his partner. Shane has vowed to never become attached to anyone or anything again. Can he help Lilly train Valentine and not fall for them both?
Recommended read
Snopek writes the most beautiful stories. Incredible characters, emotional plots mixed with words of wisdom and bursts of humor, she’s always a one click for me. A Dog Called Valentine is a sweet tale of hope wrapped in love. Valentine is an adorable mess that turns out to be a great matchmaker. Lily, Shane and Valentine speak to the heart with a charming grace that is classically Roxanne Snopek.
Loved, loved this heart warming romance of how a dog brings this couple together. Valentine, a foster dog will have you laughing out loud with his antics. Lily is over her head with Valentine, when she meets Shane at the park. Shane is dealing with his own past and grief of loosing his partner, but finally agrees to help Lily, since this is only temporary.
Loved this story, you will be laughing out loud throughout the book. It shows how much unconditional love a dog can give you. Shane and Lily are just so cute together. I highly recommend this book!!