In Dog We Trust by Beth Kendrick – a Review

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Description:
When everything has gone to the dogs . . .

When Jocelyn Hillier is named legal guardian for the late Mr. Allardyce’s pack of pedigreed Labrador retrievers, her world is flipped upside down. She’s spent her entire life toiling in the tourism industry in Black Dog Bay and never expected to be living the pampered life of a seasonal resident in an ocean side mansion, complete with a generous stipend. But her new role isn’t without its challenges: The dogs (although lovable) are more high-maintenance than any Hollywood diva, the man she wants to marry breaks her heart, and she’s confronted at every turn by her late benefactor’s estranged son, Liam, who thinks he’s entitled to the inheritance left to the dogs.

Jocelyn has worked too hard to back down without a fight, and she’s determined to keep her new fur family together. As she strives to uphold the “Best in Show” standards her pack requires, Jocelyn finds love, family, and forgiveness in the most unexpected places

Review:

In Dog We Trust by Beth Kendrick is the 5^th book in her Black Dog Bay series.   I have not read this series before, and it reads very well as a standalone.

We meet our heroine, Jocelyn Hillier, a resident of Black Dog Bay, who works with her mom in a business cleaning sheets, towels, etc for various businesses.  Black Dog Bay is a unique town, known as   the place to get over any heartbreak, especially with stores named Whinery, Eat your Heart Out bakery, just to name a few.   While running, Jocelyn comes to the rescue of two dogs who were about to get run over by a speeding car.  The eccentric wealthy owner of the dogs offers Jocelyn a job to exercise and walk the dogs (they are show dogs) daily. 

A year later, the owner dies, and he left everything to the dogs, with the care of the dogs, including a stipend to live in his mansion to Jocelyn, with her in control of the money.  The dogs are a handful, but she loves them, and enjoys the perks of living in the mansion.  Jocelyn has to continue to help the dog trainer, despite her attitude, to keep breeding and going to shows.  

A short time after the reading of the will, Jocelyn is accosted by the deceased owner’s son, who was not happy to find out that a dog walker was given full access to the estate.  Liam approaches Jocelyn to tell her he is going to fight for his inheritance, even though he had no relationship with his father.  Needless to say, they both do not start off on good terms.

What follows is a sweet fun story line, as we watch the slow burn romance build between Jocelyn and Liam. It was fun to see how Liam helps Jocelyn with the dogs, especially during one of the dog’s birth of puppies.  The secondary characters were very good; Jocelyn’s mom, Liam’s mom (who both hit it off, which was kind of hysterical), and her best friend, Bree, who was an awesome friend. 

Things get difficult, when the dog trainer threatens to fight for custody, just when Liam and Jocelyn are coming to terms in working together.  But this is a feel good uplifting story, which was very enjoyable.  Beth Kendrick wrote a sweet light heartwarming story,with a great couple, romance, some wacky characters, and wonderful cute dogs.  What’s not to love?

In Dog we Trust is a fun book to read, and very well done by Beth Kendrick. The only thing I would have improved was the quick ending, which I thought needed a bit more detail.  But overall an enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher