Although overall I enjoyed this story, I’m going to start right off with some things that bothered me because I think one of them is important when choosing a book to read. The blurb of this book does not align with the story itself. While Luke does have a crush on his buddy’s sister in the beginning and does ask his best friend Bernie to help him win her over, the dogs have very little to do with any of what happens. There is no one particular puppy that is featured. Bernie, who has crushed on her best friend for years, owns a non-profit animal shelter. There is an auction fundraiser that they’re working on, but it’s mostly peripheral to the main story. I kept waiting for one of the dogs to come into play and, other than a video Luke and Bernie make to promote the auction (at 75% mind you) they just don’t.

Because Luke’s crush, Bailey, is a sweetheart and not interested in Luke I was afraid his misguided feelings would drag on too long. The author did a good job of nipping that in the bud while using the crush as a basis for Bernie to finally do something about her stagnant love life and Luke to see what he has right in front of him. Luke has definitely taken Bernie for granted through the years. He’s in no way cruel or even dismissive of her, but he’s used to her always being there for him at the drop of a hat. Bernie knows that’s on her and decides to stop that behavior. She has enough going on in her life. Possibly too much.

One of the driving forces of this book is Bernie trying to find balance in her life. She owns several small businesses and does most of the heavy lifting herself. On top of that, her birth father is looking to get back in the picture and she’s not sure how she should feel about that. Dealing with her best friend’s crush on another woman and his refusal to get help for his PTSD is not something she needs on top of it all.

Luke and Bernie have good chemistry and I enjoyed their times together. I didn’t like how hot and cold Luke could run though. I understood his motivations since we do get his thoughts, but he’s oblivious to how he comes across to his loved ones when he thinks he’s protecting them. And, quite frankly, I don’t think Luke gave enough grovel at the end.

I found this story to be a bit all over the place even while I was enjoying the tale. I think Bernie’s overwhelming schedule, although key to the story, kept me from feeling her true depth of feelings for any of the myriad of things in her life. I also missed seeing more of the three cowboys interacting. It seemed all they did was bicker on the rare occasion they shared the page. So this one ended up being a mixed bag for me.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**