Against His Will

by Trish Jensen

Jake Donnelly is less than thrilled that instead of his favorite aunt leaving him his favorite boyhood retreat, she leaves him custody of a bulldog, worse yet, the terms of the will require him and Muffin to spend two weeks at a dog spa, one owned by canine shrink LeAnne Crosby. Original.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Humor, Comedy

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Keri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok read, just a bit too sweet and precious for me. If a dog was assigned one more human emotion or expression, I was going to hurl or run for a insulin injection. A doggy birthday I get, dogs doing the hokey pokey with paws ….no. Not a dog hater here, I have three dogs myself, just it was bit too much for me. The bad guys were cartoon characters. I also struggled with the formatting. At least I think it was formatting. A conversation would start and it would be with totally different characters that the ones that were just speaking, it was confusion at times. I also didn’t understand how Jake could come to the conclusion about LeAnne’s dead husband. Jake said that LeAnne’s husband hired those PIs to protect her from bad guys, not follow her around because he thought she was cheating on him. Really?? Then those accusations of sleeping around that Stephen made to LeAnne…what was that a smokescreen to protect her as well??? That made no sense, that story line was completed, so I am not sure what the point was of trying to change it in the end.

[Angie Boyter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am almost embarrassed to add this book publicly to My Books. It is a mindless romance with no redeeming social value and I could spend my time a lot better. That being said, it is an outstanding example of what it is. It was a lot of fun, and the dog was so endearing it made me want to go out and get one (Vetoed by my cats immediately!).
I am giving it 4 stars to be helpful to potential readers because if you read the publishers' description and it appeals to you at all, I think you will enjoy it immensely. (And if you read it on an e-reader no one else will be able to tell you aren't reading War and Peace!)

NOTE: One quibble is that the Kindle edition fails to insert a blank line or other separator consistently between sections. It is disconcerting to be reading a conversation between Jake and LeAnne and suddenly in the next paragraph have the next words spoken by one of the bad guys miles away.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[osoi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Эту книгу мне посоветовали только потому что я пришла в восторг от Конана в У любви девять жизней, типа тоже про животных и с юмором. Юмор тут если и был, то заглушен обилием клише любовных романов.

У нее — идеальная фигура (аппетитная попка, упругая грудь, осиная талия), ангельское личико, чувственность, волевая решимость сделать этот мир лучше, любовь к животным, санаторий для собачек, миллионы наследства и несчастливый брак в одном флаконе. Плюс способность вызывать у всех мужчин в радиусе километра желание немедленно защитить ее ._.
У него — работа в ФБР, нелюбимый пес по имени Пончик, trust issues, гора мускулов и страстное желание раскопать какую-то фигню на главную героиню — доказательство того, что она сдирает деньги с курортников.

Все их планы летят к черту, потому что в одном месте у них начинается зуд, утолить который им жутко мешает фбровская операция по защите свидетелей, стрелки-перестрелки, прятки и тп. На последних двадцати страницах она находит его файлик на себя, обижается, еще десять страниц они куксятся, а потом свадьба и оказалось, что их счастливую судьбу устроила его покойная тетушка. Всем плакать от умиления и разнообразия сюжета оО

Джек убрал руку.
– Так что мне придется перестать мысленно раздевать тебя.
Лина хмыкнула:
– Тогда я тоже перестану представлять тебя без одежды.
У Джека захватило дух.
– Ты представляла меня голым?
– Ну, это совсем несложно, поскольку я уже видела тебя в одних плавках.

(бесстыдная женщина и великий дедуктор в одном флаконе. *перекосило от ужаса*)

Во-первых, и самое главное — я не люблю тупых героев. Агент ФБР? Не смешите меня, этот агент не может справиться с собакой и при появлении первой же милой особы в радиусе своего локатора теряет голову и начинает думать только о сексе, забывая напрочь о задании оО Она же только и делает, что тупит всю дорогу, и думает как бы скрыть от него, что много ест за завтраком (!).

И тут ее осенило. Она уезжает с Джеком. Одна. Конечно, они берут с собой Пончика, но разве собака может послужить барьером между ними? Да и нужно ли ей снова искать этот барьер?
Конечно, он порядочный мошенник, но перспектива путешествия с этим привлекательным мужчиной заставляла Лину нервничать.

(aaa... what?!.. и другие гениальные мысли нашей героини под ярлыком «сомнения по поводу возможного соития с этим опасным для моего сердечка мужчиной»)

Во-вторых, сам Пончик (Muffin), ради которого и затевалось чтение, присутствует тут очень мало и в качестве фона. На фоне Пончика ребятки находят друг друга и повод для встреч. Милый собак, умный — умнее главных героев точно. Но, к сожалению, никакого POV.

Это один балл с натяжкой. Не могу читать книги, настолько далекие от реальности, вне жанра фантастики. Когда в следующий раз кинусь читать про милых собачек-кошечек — буду осторожнее.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

Trish Jensen's novels are entertaining and always laugh with them. Thier are some love scenes that I skipped over. Lots of Plot,humor,suspense and action in it.
FBI Agent Jake Donnelly just found out is beloved Aunt Sophie left her property and millions to her bull dog Muffin. Jake will inheirit after Muffin's long healthy life. But if Muffin gets put to sleep or a accident the place will go to Leanne Crosby pet shrink.
Jake is not happy that he has to take care of Muffin. Muffin is not a happy dog and now he has to spend two weeks at the pet spa that Leanne Crosby owns. Jake thinks she is running a con. So he had his partner check up on her.
Leanne Crosby is a widow who's husband left her a lot of money. Her pet spa used to be a prison with tennis courts,golf course. It has a hotel and cabins 3 restraunts, pool.
I have never thought of the idea of going to a pet spa but now I have different view.
especially about pet shrinks I could use one.
Leanne is beautiful and she does teach Jake a lot how to make Muffin happy and by thier playing together is gives them both exercise and fun. Leanne is ready to fall for Jake when Jake's partner drops off his fiance at the dog resort.
It is really his witness who keeps getting found by the bad guys. They can't tell anyone else who she is till she testifies they need to keep her safe thier must be a traitor in thier office. Because of the situation more humor, drama,action occurs.
Against His Will was first published in 2000.
I like to read novels of Trish and will be reading more of her work in the future.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books (August 10, 2012) 230 pages

[TMDGReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI agent Jake Donnelly had a tough childhood, but he had a sanctuary with his Aunt Sophie. She was kind, patient, and loved him, and he grew to love her and his uncle very much. For years, at the end of her life, Aunt Sophie tried to fix him up with Leanne Crosby, pet shrink and owner of a dog spa where she would vacation with her bull dog, Muffin. When Aunt Sophie passes away, she leaves her entier estate to Muffin, to make sure he is well cared for during the rest of his natural life. Jake, of course, is awarded Muffin, and then eventually the estate upon Muffin's death, as long as he accepts the dog. Jake does not, under any circumstance, want the dog, and says so. Until he finds out that if he doesn't take the dog, Leanne Crosby, whom he thinks may be a quack and a rip off, will get Muffin and inherit the estate upon his death. He decides he will take the dog to keep his Aunt Sophie from being swindled after she is gone. He learns of a final provision. He must take Muffin for a mandatory spa vacation, 2 weeks a year.

This story had me laughing from the very fist pages. I very much enjoyed the humor, and the way Muffin was given character and played a role in the plot. The sparks eventually fly when Jake and Leanne meet and they try to resist them, because they both have troubles trusting each other. It is a warm and touching story of how man falls in love with woman, and man falls in love with his dog. There is action and adventure around every corner, and don't forget the romance. When a book can make you laugh and touch your heart too, you know it is a winner.

I highly recommend reading this book. It is sure to please.

I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Hsiau Wei · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tell the story of Jake who inherited not the property that he so wanted to have from his aunt but her dog, Muffin. The condition of the will stated that Muffin is to inherit her possession including the cabin that Jake have wanted and appoint him as the guardian for the trust on behalf of Muffin. It also stated that Dr Le Anne is to be the second in line to be the guardian should Jake failed to fulfilled the conditions stated in the will of which one of them is to spend at least two weeks in the dog spa resort belong to Leanne. Jake already have a bad impression of Le Anne and when they finally met, sparkles of firework seems to be sizzle between them.

I enjoyed reading this book very much.. it is hilarious to read about Jake who have to change and adapt to having a animal friend with him. On the hand, Muffin is not helping very much and seems to make his life difficult. It make me laughed and at times while reading this book, i could not contained my smile just reading about them ;)

[Jeannine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I purchased this book for my Kindle a while ago, thinking it was a mystery. If I had seen the cover picture, I probably wouldn't have given it a shot. Well folks, after reading 25% of it, I can tell you it is not a mystery. If you are looking for a "pulsing, throbbing, lusting" type of romance novel........well this is the book for you. I can't believe I kept reading, waiting for an actual plot. There were several places where the dialogue would shift to two bad guys but it would happen right in the middle of dialogue between the two characters lusting for each other. I kept jumping back and forth on my Kindle thinking I missed something.....like a new chapter or some designation but there was nothing. It would be "against my will" to continue reading any further so this book was deleted from my Kindle. If you are looking for a mystery, this is not it.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 star
This is the first book by Trish Jensen that I have read.
I laughed out loud more then once and even teared up on more then one occasion. This is a light feel good romance. Nothing complicated or new. Yes, it follows the standard feel good romance formula. But it is funny, sentimental and just plain fun to read. If you are looking for a light read that will leave you smiling then this is the book for you.

*** No spoilers were harmed in the writing of this review ***

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake's aunt played matchmaker, even from the grave. I loved the tension & sparring occurring between Leanne & Jake throughout the book. Muffin was just icing on the cake, especially when Jake had "conversations" with the dog throughout the novel. There was some drama & action, but this is pure comedy gold for the most part.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uh....huh. OK, I know I was looking for some brainless romances, after slogging through Outlander and Shadow of Night, but wow. This is pretty brainless.

Also, "omg dogs are awesome" books just do nothing for me. Cold, dead, black heart re slobbery gross dogs.

[Tory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a light, fun book, with a little action thrown in. The mystery/action part was the weakest part for me. The villian was just incompetent. Muffin's antics were funny as he and Jake attempted to learn to live together.

[Lhenry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read. Nice characters, nice dogs, simple misunderstandings, mild suspense.

[Abutterfly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Light but not as light as a beach read. Has a little suspense and sexy romance sprinkled in. Definitely recommend reading if you're in between books and need a good filler.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light romance with lots of sex and a dog that seems almost human.

[Barb Moser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would have been a better read without all the moony-faced sex.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. It was a love story, no doubt, but it was also about dogs, about relationships; it had a few unexpected twists and turns, and a really really great surprise ending.

[Connie Riggi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story could have been good but the writing was really bad. The first chapter was good but it went down hill quick after that. It seemed as if it was written by a child.

[Joleen Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice change from reading murder mysteries. A pretty typical love story, but entertaining, especially when it includes a dog!

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it but wish had made the dog more realistic: the dog could understand human talk.

[Christi]

Yeah. No. I wanted to like it, but the subplot was ridiculous within the super sweet story. Also - NO breaks between chapters. No indications that the narrative or POV had changed so I was reading everything twice. So... No.