The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Lizzie Shane [Review]

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas (Pine Hollow #1) by Lizzie Shane
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 7, 2024

Pine Hollow
1. The Twelve Dogs of Christmas - Paperback | Kindle
2. Once Upon a Puppy
3. To All the Dogs I've Loved Before
4. Pride & Puppies
5. Four Weddings and a Puppy
6. Like Cats & Dogs

Lizzie Shane
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Pine Hollow has everything Ally Gilmore could wish for in a holiday break: gently falling snow in a charming small town and time with her family. Then she learns some Grinch has pulled the funding for her family's rescue shelter, and now she has only four weeks to find new homes for a dozen dogs! But when she confronts her Scroogey councilman nemesis, Ally finds he's far more reasonable -- and handsome -- than she ever expected.

As the guardian of his dog-obsessed ten-year-old niece, Ben West doesn't have time to build a cuddly reputation. But he does feel guilty about the shelter closing. So he proposes a truce with Ally, agreeing to help her adopt out the pups. As the two spend more time together, the town's gossip is spreading faster than Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. And soon Ben is hoping he can convince Ally that Pine Hollow is her home for the holidays. . . and the whole year through.

Thoughts on The Twelve Dogs of Christmas: Ally's in Pine Hollow helping her grandparents out at the shelter. Given that she's at a crossroads of sorts as far as what she wants to do in the future, this time spent at the shelter with her grandparents is sorely needed. Then she gets notice that funding is going to be cut from the city and now Ally has a MISSION. She has to find homes for all the dogs in the shelter while trying to figure out a way to keep the shelter going past the new year.

Ben is the town grump. Except he's not, really. He's floundering and a bit overwhelmed after his sister's unexpected death and his subsequent guardianship of his niece. He's trying his hardest to be everything for everyone - which includes finishing out his brother-in-law's term on the city council - and he's not easy on himself. AT ALL. His guilt at not doing his due diligence with the shelter which resulted in the aforementioned funding cut has him volunteering to help Ally place the pups and raise awareness for the shelter however he can.

As Ally and Ben work together, they find themselves sparking a time or two. But Ben thinks Ally isn't planning to stay in town and Ally is hit by a truth bomb from her grandparents that throws her for a loop. It takes time and some solid communication before these two get where they need to be.

Twelve adorable puppers, a small town with a lot of Christmas cheer, a couple of dog-loving girls, a man who is hardest on himself, and a lady who is ready to find her place in the small town she's come to love.