Release date April 14, 2020
From the USA Today bestselling author of The Friend Zone comes an adorable and fresh romantic comedy about one trouble-making dog who brings together two perfect strangers.
Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe still can’t seem to get her life back on track. But one trouble-making pup with a “take me home” look in his eyes is about to change everything. With her new pet by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker’s owner reaches out. He’s a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.
Well, Sloan’s not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can’t deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There’s no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?
I had to wait a LONG time for my wish for THEAP on Netgalley to be fulfilled, but I’m not bitter. I won’t say that I cried hot tears watching others post about how they were granted their wishes or were selected to read it (because I didn’t) but I will say I was jealous AF!!! (Totally not lying.) When I received an email from Netgalley on April 2nd saying my wish had been granted, I had to check to make sure it wasn’t an April Fool’s Day joke, and it really wasn’t! I know, I know-you don’t really care about all that but I still wanted to put that out there!! Also yes, I did rub it in WW’s face that I received it early, lol! After all, isn’t that what BFFs are for? So on to the good stuff…should you go online and order your own copy? Heck yeah! (And notice I didn’t say run out and get a copy cuz well, social distancing!) Anyone who has read my previous reviews knows how much I adored TFZ and the witty banter between the characters, along with the absolute heartbreak when Sloan’s fiance Brandon was killed. (That was a complete sucker punch to the gut!)
When the story begins, two years have passed since Brandon’s untimely death and Sloan is barely functioning in her overwhelming grief. As much as Kristen and Josh love and support her, it’s just not enough to break through her misery. On her way to the cemetary to visit his grave, she is shocked when a dog jumps into her car and gacks on her latte. Both exasperated and amused, Sloan takes Tucker home tries to call his owner and when she can’t reach him over the course of multiple messages she decides that Tucker is now hers and his former owner can go take a hike! (Turns out it was literal and figurative!)
Jason is a rising star in the music world who has taken a break to hike New Zealand while on tour in Australia. He is worn out and frustrated with his inability to write new music when he discovers that a strange woman has his dog back home in LA and is threatening to keep him. So of course he does what any guy would do and attempts to flirt his way out of trouble! As the creative type he definitely has some great pick up lines, and Sloan quickly finds herself fascinated and charmed even before she knows he is also Jaxon Waters, the singer whose music has been her touchstone while she has been mourning. Their phone calls and texts quickly develop into a deep fascination on both ends and they make plans to meet up to exchange custody of Tucker when he returns to the states. (But of course we can’t call it a date!)
We as readers of course know the ‘appointment’ isn’t the end since this is a romance after all, and the progress of their relationship is great fun to experience! Kristen and Josh make appearances and while Jason’s agent Ernie brings a great amount of fun with him, Tucker is the absolute star of this book much as Stuntman Mike was in TFZ. I have a particular affinity for animals in romance even when it’s not cats, and Tucker brings both comic relief and heart with his loyalty to both of his guardians. From the beginning where he jumpstarts Sloan’s heart again after accosting her in her and ultimately is the cause of the meet cute, Tucker is the glue that brings the star-crossed lovers together!
But as we all know the path to true love is NEVER without twists and turns so it’s a given that things are going to happen! And you also know that means I’m not going to say more, you are just going to have to read it yourself to find out what happens next! If you are a weirdo that has not read TFZ yet, you really should do that first because otherwise you aren’t going to get the full experience and I can guarantee you will be thanking me in the end!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Forever for granting my wish to read THEAP early as you totally made my otherwise crappy month!