Ruff and Tumble by Lucy Gilmore – a Review

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Description:
As a production assistant for the Puppy Cup, Hailey Lincoln knows all things puppies and football. So when Seattle Lumberjacks star quarterback Cole Bennett asks for PR help, she agrees. She’s not swayed by Cole’s good looks or stellar career, but by the puppies they can help. Okay, maybe she’s swayed just a tiny bit by his good looks.

Winning at puppy football, however, is only the start. If she really wants to win—the game, the man, and the warm, welcoming family he takes for granted—she needs to pull out all the stops. And Cole, who’s spent his entire life playing a game, has to realize that losing at football isn’t nearly as catastrophic as losing the woman he loves

Review:

Ruff and Tumble by Lucy Gilmore is another one of her fun cute romances, featuring wonderful adorable dogs, not to mention some hunks along the way. Hailey Lincoln, our heroine, is a production assistant who runs the annual Puppy Cup, which coincides with official pro football cup.  While in the planning stages with her co-worker, Penny, Hailey is shocked to see Cole Bennett (our hero & gorgeous hunk), the Seattle Lumberjacks star quarterback, walking into to her office.

Cole is determined to win this year’s Puppy Cup to help break their football team’s cursed luck, and he knows that the woman standing in front of him is undefeated for a few years; neither have met, though that is about to change. Hailey is not swayed by Cole’s charm, but agrees to work with him to help him select dogs for his team; Hailey only cares about making sure all the cute puppies get adopted.  When Cole tries to use his charm, which never fails, she tells him all the things he does wrong on the football field.  Though he is shocked how much she knows, he laughs and follows her to the elevator, with the pregnant dog she is taking care of; but to their dismay the elevator breaks, leaving them stuck and the dog is about to give birth to puppies.   It was a funny and cute.

What follows is a sweet romance that develops between Cole and Hailey, and the fun with all the puppies was adorable.  I got a kick out of Hailey getting Cole to take care of Phillip (a dog that was suffering anxiety), as well as getting another dog set up with Cole’s football friend.  As their relationship grows, Hailey (who has no family) gets to meet Cole’s wonderful family, and they welcome her with open arms. They all enjoy Hailey easily setting in, especially since she has an uncanny ability to see what the players are doing wrong.  Football is the major importance for the family, with Cole worried that his family will be upset, as his shoulder injury is not healing the way it should. 

Ruff and Tumble was a fun sweet heartwarming romance with a couple that sizzled, but I totally adored how Hailey took care of the dogs/puppies, which was so much fun.  Lucy Gilmore gave us some great secondary characters, besides Hailey and Cole; such as Penny, Regina, Garrett and Cole’s family.  Ruff and Tumble was so very well written by Lucy Gilmore. If you love puppies, and a sweet romance, you should read this enjoyable story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher