Look at the Cute Puppies! (In Dog We Trust Review)

TITLE: In Dog We Trust (Black Dog Bay #5)
AUTHOR: Beth Kendrick
PUBLISHER: Berkley Books
PUBLISHING DATE: January 8, 2019

FROM GOODREADS: 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.

MY THOUGHTS:  So this is the fifth installment in the Black Dog Bay series and unlike what I usually believe, I honestly think you can read this out of order with no real issues at all.  Yes, there are some crossover characters but honestly, if you want to get a feel for this author and this series, it is quite easy to start with "In Dog We Trust."

Black Dog Bay is a local spot in Deleware where people go to heal heartbreak and make new paths for themselves.  Many of the inhabitants have been burned or dumped and they come to the area looking for the elusive black labrador which signals their luck is about to change.  However, Jocelyn has spent her whole life in town, working with her mother for a laundry services which caters to the many local businesses and hotels.  One morning while jogging, she saves the show dog of a rich old man living on the beach and her luck changes.  She ends up falling in love for the idiot driving the car and before she knows it, she is left as the executor for the dog's estate once their owner, Mr. Allardyce, suddenly dies.

I really liked Jocelyn and her best friend Bree who realizes that her friend's future husband is not all he is cracked up to be.  In addition, the reader is also introduced to Mr. Allardyce's estranged son, Liam, who shows up wanting his inheritance and despite loving dogs, can't believe his father left his estate to his four-legged children instead of him.

"In Dog We Trust" is a fun book and a great way to spend an afternoon.  Jocelyn is such a dog lover and truly makes every move thinking about how it will effect  the dogs in her care.  There are even some adorable puppies born, including one which Jocelyn's mother names George Clooney.   There is some romance, which is to be expected with this series, but friendship, family and pets are the main themes and everything else is just a side note.

And on a side not of my own, there is a unique auto mechanic named Otter which makes a brief appearance in "In Dog We Trust" and I really hope Kendrick explores his character more in depth in a future installment.  I would highly recommend this series to animal lovers or romance lovers or even those who prefer a mixture of both.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS