Love Is a Four-Legged Word : All About Romance

Love Is a Four-Legged Word

Grade : B-

This one coasted along as a solid B until an absurd “conflict” is introduced in the book’s final quarter.

Be warned: This book skirts dangerously close to the Too Cute To Be Borne category but for this reader managed to stay on the safe side of the line. I’m a sucker for animals, what can I say?

Maddy Cartwright is a food writer for a Too Cool To Be Borne magazine (think Jane) and an aspiring TV chef. (Exactly what we need since we can never have too many TV chefs, right?) The plot set up involves the death of Walter, an older man and the landlord of her cute apartment. Maddy and Walter became very close friends and she is shocked to discover after his death that – unbeknownst to the rest of the world – Walter was very wealthy. What’s even more shocking is the fact that he left his millions to Maddy in trust for his beloved dog, Brutus.

Enter Tom O’Brien, the sexy lawyer who helped set up the will. He believes, of course, that Maddy is a gold digger. He is also uptight. And vastly in need of collar-loosening, which our hipster heroine is more than happy to provide.

But then there are threats to the dog from a distant – and really very over the top – relative of Walter’s who is out to get Maddy and her little dog, too. He wants the money and he’s more than willing to indulge in a little doggie murder in order to get it. (Dog lover spoiler: The doggie is okay.)

Honestly, this book is cute, but not funny. And, while I liked both main characters, they also both felt…well, really, really young. Which they are.

And then there is that ridiculous “conflict.” I don’t know if this came from some How to Write a Novel book or an insistent editor, but it’s dumb. Really dumb. And just inexplicable behavior, really, for the characters this reader thought she knew.

Still, Love is a Four-Legged Word isn’t wacky and it is pleasant, and basically quite likable. Whether or not it’s worth a trade paperback price is a judgment you’ll have to make for yourself.

Reviewed by Sandy Coleman

Grade : B-

Book type : Contemporary Romance

Sensuality : Warm

Review Date : June 25, 2009

Published On : 2009/07