She saved the town’s abandoned animals. He saved her.Abby Tyler welcomes you to the witty, well-meaning busybodies of Applebottom, Missouri, where the community takes its pies — and its matchmaking — very seriously.Savannah Perkins has always loved the animal shelter her father started in memory of her mother. It’s been her life’s work and a peaceful place for her to care for him.But it’s a … her to care for him.
But it’s a hard living, and volunteers have gotten hard to come by.
Until Luke.
No one was more surprised by Luke Southard’s arrival in Applebottom than his father. Mayor T-bone had no idea he had a son.
While Luke waits on the local veterinary school to accept his transfer, the town suggests he help out at the shelter.
But some of the local boys take issue with his closeness to Savannah, blaming him for vandalism around town. When the new vet school refuses him, Luke figures he’s overstayed his welcome.
It will take some quick thinking by the town to help Luke and Savannah realize that in each other, they’ve found their perfect shelter.
Don’t miss the other Applebottom books by Abby Tyler:
— The Sweetest Match
— The Perfect Disaster
— The Irresistible Spark
— The Special Delivery
more
A lovely story about an animal shelter built to honor a mother lost too soon. You will feel the love given to the animals and the hard work it required. The story is so full of emotional situations, between the animals and Savannah’s father Boone; that you will have a hard time putting the book down. Highly recommend this book to all cozy mystery lovers.
What a sweet book from start to finish. A true animal lovers book, a major part of the story not just a mention here and there. I have worked in a shelter and know how they work. This is the real thing, lots of work to take care of animals dumped by their previous owners.
But Samantha who has been struggling to run the shelter and care for her father needs help. Random volunteers don’t stay long, but when a new volunteer shows up sparks start to fly.
You will find nothing in this book that can’t be shared from young teens and up to Grandma. I love a good clean book. Great start to a new series. I received an ARC from a link somewhere but this is my unbiased opinion.
This is the fourth book from Abby Tyler that I have read and she never disappoints! Her books are so sweet and easy to read. Unexpected Shelter is about Savannah who is trying to care for an animal shelter that was named after her mother. But as anyone she is struggling a bit. While taking care of the animals and the shelter she is also taking care of her father who has dementia who is declining. Luke is another main character who volunteers in the shelter and is trying to help out Savannah. Luke has always loved animals and his ultimate dream is to become a Vet. So when he has to pick between Applebottom, Savannah, the shelter he has a tough choice to make. But if you want to find out if Luke stays in Applebottom and gives up his dream of becoming a vet, or going to Vet school you’ll have to read The Unexpected Shelter to find out. This is defiantly a book to recommend to others!
Fantastic read! I have fallen in love with Applebottom and it’s residents. Savannah already has a lot on her plate. She doesn’t have time for herself, let alone a man. Luke comes to Applebottom to meet his dad, T-Bone. While there he decides to volunteer at the local animal shelter. What he doesn’t expect is the prettiest woman he’s ever seen.
Abby Tyler has a way of writing that will suck you into the story. The Unexpected Shelter is humorous, full of animals with big personalities, and a realness that makes you want to visit this place.
Can be read as a standalone. Written in both Savannah and Luke’s POV.
Really cute RomCom with likable characters and a well thought story line. I would have liked more back information about Luke’s bad younger days…this was simply alluded to with no real examples of what he’d done that was so bad.
I loved all of the animals!
Abby Tyler has crafted another sweet romance sure to tug at your heart strings. Why? Because no one can resist puppies and kittens, especially if they are combined with a great love story like The Unexpected Shelter.
Applebottom’s mayor, T-Bone, got an unexpected visitor recently – a son that he didn’t know existed. Luke wants to get to know his father so he decides to hang around Applebottom for a while even though it means putting veterinary school on hold.
Savannah runs the animal shelter her father started in memory of her mother who died when Savannah was very young. She likes working with all of the animals but her father’s slide into dementia is making an already difficult task even harder. When Luke steps in and begins volunteering she wonders how she made it without him for so long.
I love the way this love story developed slowly and turned Luke and Savannah’s friendship into something more. They both care deeply for the animals in the shelter and it shows in the words that Abby has written.
You won’t find any steamy love scenes in this book but you will get an entertaining story filled with love and sweet animals.
Copied from Goodreads review:
Would rate this 3.5 stars. Was lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book but am not letting that influence my rating.
Enjoyable read. The story is about two people who have been battered by life finding shelter in their love for each other and in the animals they care for. Savannah Perkins runs a local animal shelter (Lena’s Home for Strays) in Applebottom where she not only looks after abandoned animals but also her father, Boone, who has dementia. Luke Southard has been making his way through life trying to become a veterinarian when he learns about the father he never knew, T-Bone. He comes to Applebottom to spend some time with T-bone and arranges to work for Savannah to get credit for his degree. They are two caring people who learn to care about each other and the reader comes to care about them.
There are some wonderful scenes in the story, the fitting of dresses for a wedding, the orange soda picnic and Luke’s wonderful gift of a garden. Love also that the author lets you get to know the pets at the shelter i.e. Sargent and Luigi (you are going to love him) and feel how they offer comfort to their humans. MS Tyler weaves a lot of emotions through the story so you are laughing and crying.
My only criticism is that I think the story and characters need to be fleshed out more. It isn’t that anything is lacking but could have been enriched by some additional scenes like when Officer Stone comes to the shelter to check on an incident and is introduced to Nero the misbehaving doberman or when you see the town’s people interacting at the pie shop. I still highly recommend this book and hope others will enjoy the warmth of the tale.
Abby Tyler is a new author for me. It is a total joy to get swept up in her world of small-town Applebottom, Missouri. The Unexpected Shelter begins with Luke Southhard coming to Applebottom looking for his father. After his mother died, he decided to search for the man he never knew. His dad, T-Bone is the mayor of the quaint little town. Luke is a shock not only to T-Bone but the town.
Luke’s goal is to be veterinarian. He started working on a degree in Montana and decides to transfer to a local college. While Luke waits for the college’s decision, the locals suggeste that he assist at the local animal shelter on the outskirts of town.
The animal shelter is run by Savannah Perkins. She loves animals and is in desperate need of help now that her dad isn’t available. She is overwhelmed at times taking care of the animals, her dad who is suffering from dementia, and the regular housekeeping duties of everyday living. Luke admires Savanah’s work ethic and wonders how she keeps things together. The more time Luke and Savannah are together the stronger the mutual admiration and attraction grow.
The Unexpected Shelter has all the down-home feels of small-town America. Abby Tyler does an excellent job dealing with the authentic problems a pain that a child experiences when caring for a parent suffering from dementia. There are times when it breaks my heart as Savannah loses her father even though he is standing right in front of her. I recommend The Unexpected Shelter for a sweet, feel-good time with lovely characters dealing with real problems in an uplifting manner. I can see this book showing up on Lifetime one day. Now I’m ready to read more books by Ms. Tyler and looking forward to more books in the series.
When I opened the pages of The Unexpected Shelter I was literally transported to Applebottom, this was my first visit to the town and I can say with all certainty I will be returning. The characters felt so true to small-town life. From their demeanor and actions to the way they conversed, everything just felt personal, like home.
Savannah runs the town shelter and cares for her father. She is burning the candle at both ends and could use a bit more help. Help arrives and along with him -a bit of hope.
I enjoyed the light that seemed to emanate from Savannah. Whether it was misbehaving little furry friends or miscommunicated intentions or any other mayhem in between, she held fast to what she deemed important and she held on to hope.
Luke is new to town and as such he is the first person people blame when things go haywire. Just when things are looking pretty positive in his world the domino’s start to fall. Despite his wanting to put down roots and settle in some of the town folks want him gone and they will do whatever it takes to make sure he leaves.
This was a wholesome and sweet romance that ticks all the happy boxes with the perfect pinch of angst and dash of suspense.
Favorite Quotes:
The room went wild with chairs scraping back and people gasping like T-bone done announced he was from Nebraska.
Violet had come over that morning and done her nails and helped with makeup. They had a long day ahead, so they needed armor, Violet had said. Armor by Maybelline.
My Review:
Continuing on with my fangirling of Abby Tyler with another sweet Applebottom tale, this one was a bit more melancholy than the rest due to the rather tragic circumstances the main character of Savannah was mired with. Savannah’s tale is a very relevant and realistic one for anyone struggling with elderly family members. Despite the heavier concerns, the storylines were lively, entertaining, and highly relatable, although my two favorite tenacious pie bakers were not as prevalent in this tale and I sorely missed them. I enjoy Ms. Tyler’s amusing voice and highly endearing characters. She squeezed my heart with this one as I am a huge animal lover and involved in cat rescue and fostering myself.
ARC review For honest review. This is a beautiful story of Savannah who is taking over her parents shelter lena’s home for strays and taking care of her father .when one day luke southard comes in to volunteer.
This one is tied for first place in my Applebottom society favorites. The story is fun and sweet, filled with dog fun and mayhem, then there is the life experience of dealing with the growing and overwhelming problem of dementia. All these books are easy reads, this one hits home for those of us who have lost someone to this heartbreaking disease. The romance and HEA are there along with our furry friends. Don’t miss this one.
What a wonderful return to Applebottom! Our favorite little town is still home to quirky characters and elderly matchmakers, and now we get to meet the dogs…lots and lots of dogs. Savannah is struggling to care for the animal shelter named for her late mother, while dealing with the heartbreaking reality of a father with dementia. When Mayor T-Bone’s long lost son offers to volunteer, he brings light and laughter back into her life. With some bumps, mud, exes, and sacrifices along the way, yet another Applebottom couple laughs and loves their way to happily ever after.