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Lakeshore Chronicles #12
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas
8 hours, 14 minutes
Brenda Malloy wants nothing to do with Christmas ever again. Last year, Brenda and her husband rushed their beloved dog Tim to the emergency vet on Christmas eve. The good news: Tim survived after the vet cleared the obstruction—a pair of women’s lace undies. The bad news: the undies were not Brenda’s.
A year after the breakup, Brenda has put her life back together. She’s trained for a marathon, is writing a children’s novel, and she’s found purpose and healing as a volunteer with a dog rescue organization in Houston, Texas. The rescue partners with a program in Avalon, New York—a small, snowy town deep in the Catskills. Now Brenda is arranging the transport of rescued dogs from Houston to Avalon—just in time for a merry Christmas with their forever families. Brenda’s friends worry about her driving a van two thousand miles with twelve dogs in crates, but she shrugs off their concern. How hard can it be? She knows the way, and she’s just looking to escape the Christmas overload for a while.
But a blinding snowstorm, an escaped mutt, and a life-saving encounter with Adam Bellamy—a single dad and paramedic—means Brenda has to stay in Avalon longer than she planned. As she drops off each precious pup at their new homes, some of the comfort and joy of the season begins to creep up on Brenda despite her determination to avoid the holidays. Perhaps you can bring Christmas into your heart after all...if you have the right furry friends to guide the way.
Brenda Malloy wants nothing to do with Christmas ever again. Last year, Brenda and her husband rushed their beloved dog Tim to the emergency vet on Christmas eve. The good news: Tim survived after the vet cleared the obstruction—a pair of women’s lace undies. The bad news: the undies were not Brenda’s.
A year after the breakup, Brenda has put her life back together. She’s trained for a marathon, is writing a children’s novel, and she’s found purpose and healing as a volunteer with a dog rescue organization in Houston, Texas. The rescue partners with a program in Avalon, New York—a small, snowy town deep in the Catskills. Now Brenda is arranging the transport of rescued dogs from Houston to Avalon—just in time for a merry Christmas with their forever families. Brenda’s friends worry about her driving a van two thousand miles with twelve dogs in crates, but she shrugs off their concern. How hard can it be? She knows the way, and she’s just looking to escape the Christmas overload for a while.
But a blinding snowstorm, an escaped mutt, and a life-saving encounter with Adam Bellamy—a single dad and paramedic—means Brenda has to stay in Avalon longer than she planned. As she drops off each precious pup at their new homes, some of the comfort and joy of the season begins to creep up on Brenda despite her determination to avoid the holidays. Perhaps you can bring Christmas into your heart after all...if you have the right furry friends to guide the way.
9 pages, Audiobook
First published October 17, 2023
588 people are currently reading
15688 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wiggs
169 books7,421 followersSusan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 906 reviews
December 8, 2023
I don’t have twelve dogs, although some days it feels like it, but I do love Dogs and Christmas (and, of course, books). Of all the Christmas books I’ve read this year, this was my favourite.
This story revolves around Brenda, whose Christmas the year before was not only a disaster on that night, but it turned her life upside down when a pair of panties were ‘returned’ to her, found by a guest at her and her husband’s Christmas party. She hasn’t been a big fan of Christmas since she was a child, but realizing what this means brings an end to her marriage and another reason to associate Christmas with the worst moments of her life. It doesn’t help matters that she almost just lost her dog.
As an advocate for dogs, Brenda spends her time with the organization that helps place dogs who have been lost or given up by their previous owners. She typically does all her work at her new place, but when she is needed to help take the dogs to a distant location that will involve driving for days, and just as they are almost there, the weather turns and the icy driving conditions ends up with one of them in the hospital, and Brenda being taken to stay at the home of one of the men who rescued them.
Needless to say, there is a romantic connection for one of them. A man who was on the list for one of the dogs, as a gift for his young son, who happens to be the man who rescued them.
While this means she is frequently near him, as she’s staying in his mother’s home, and she appreciates all that he and his family are doing for her, she is both ill prepared for staying there as long as it will take for their vehicle to be ready to be driven. Also, her friend is still in the hospital, and will be for a while. As the temperatures outside drop, Brenda needs some warmer clothing, and enough clothing until she can leave. Meanwhile, her rescuer seems like he’s trying to convince her that it isn’t all that bad there, you just need to embrace the snow. But Brenda is not a fan of the cold, for more reasons than it is cold.
I wanted to read this because it revolves around dogs, but enjoyed seeing Brenda embrace looking at life with a new, more positive, view for the future.
Published: 17 Oct 2023
Many thanks for the ARC provided by William Morrow
December 18, 2025
This is the story of…
Finding Love.
Of one self. Of family. Whether you are born in to it or find it. Of finding the right person. Of finding an appreciation of the Christmas spirit.
And, of course dogs finding their forever homes.
To tell you more would spoil the story.
Finding Love.
Of one self. Of family. Whether you are born in to it or find it. Of finding the right person. Of finding an appreciation of the Christmas spirit.
And, of course dogs finding their forever homes.
To tell you more would spoil the story.
October 13, 2024
Rescue dogs and romance. It’s a sweet, if predictable book.
December 6, 2024
Brenda Malloy is finally getting back on her feet after a nasty divorce last Christmas. It seems that Christmas time only brings her bad luck. As a child, she also lost her father in an accident during the Christmas season. So Brenda has vowed to ignore anything to do with Christmas.
She has bought a little house in Houston and has been volunteering for an animal rescue group called the Underdogs. This year twelve dogs have been adopted by families in upstate New York. The dogs are scheduled to be delivered to their new homes before Christmas. Brenda’s close friend, Dolly, will be driving the dogs north in a specially equipped van. Brenda reluctantly agrees to accompany Dolly on the long drive.
Brenda hopes to make this a short trip - returning home as soon as the dogs are placed with their new families. However unexpected events occur and Brenda’s life will never be the same again…..
This book reminded me of the Hallmark movies that are available at Christmas. I’m not really a fan of those types of stories, but I did enjoy this book. However I had hoped that the dogs would be featured more in the story. All in all, despite that, it was a pleasant read.
She has bought a little house in Houston and has been volunteering for an animal rescue group called the Underdogs. This year twelve dogs have been adopted by families in upstate New York. The dogs are scheduled to be delivered to their new homes before Christmas. Brenda’s close friend, Dolly, will be driving the dogs north in a specially equipped van. Brenda reluctantly agrees to accompany Dolly on the long drive.
Brenda hopes to make this a short trip - returning home as soon as the dogs are placed with their new families. However unexpected events occur and Brenda’s life will never be the same again…..
This book reminded me of the Hallmark movies that are available at Christmas. I’m not really a fan of those types of stories, but I did enjoy this book. However I had hoped that the dogs would be featured more in the story. All in all, despite that, it was a pleasant read.
November 27, 2023
First off this is more of a rant than a review, so yes my opinion is loud in this one🤭
I like my Christmas books the way I like my hallmark movies so there for I don’t mind them being predictable, it’s romance not mystery👀💚
Anyways I liked this book a lot for quite sometime, 80% mark is when it rlly went down hill for me. The writing felt rlly juvenile but this is marked as an adult book, the characters (well the female protagonist; Brenda especially) reminded me more of a teenager than an adult🫣) the story of the dogs was rlly beautiful; but unfortunately after all the dogs were home we went down hill quickly😅
🚨spolier🚨
Brenda; can’t deal with Christmas bc of the way her father died, I understand. Recently divorced from a marriage of 7 years. It’s all thought, I know but 80% into this book she was acting crazy over it all I just couldn’t. Oh did I mention she had a boyfriend back in Houston the whole time…👀 I mean she didn’t like him that much and they weren’t a match but seriously?! And u know what we got of him after all of this one line that said something like he took it well when she gently let him go or something like that👀🚨 I don’t think she ever told Adam about him🤦🏼♀️ also at Christmas time she was so hesitant about letting herself fall in love it was too the point of annoyance and then after she doesn’t it jumps to a year later (so obviously Christmas time and you know what she tells us? She got married that summer so roughly 6 months🤦🏼♀️ she was like I know it’s was impulse and blah blah but I know it’s right. Like lady, 6 months before that u didn’t even want to give Adam a chance🫥 and then u marry him on the whim? It’s impulsive for most people completely insane for u🫠
I like my Christmas books the way I like my hallmark movies so there for I don’t mind them being predictable, it’s romance not mystery👀💚
Anyways I liked this book a lot for quite sometime, 80% mark is when it rlly went down hill for me. The writing felt rlly juvenile but this is marked as an adult book, the characters (well the female protagonist; Brenda especially) reminded me more of a teenager than an adult🫣) the story of the dogs was rlly beautiful; but unfortunately after all the dogs were home we went down hill quickly😅
🚨spolier🚨
Brenda; can’t deal with Christmas bc of the way her father died, I understand. Recently divorced from a marriage of 7 years. It’s all thought, I know but 80% into this book she was acting crazy over it all I just couldn’t. Oh did I mention she had a boyfriend back in Houston the whole time…👀 I mean she didn’t like him that much and they weren’t a match but seriously?! And u know what we got of him after all of this one line that said something like he took it well when she gently let him go or something like that👀🚨 I don’t think she ever told Adam about him🤦🏼♀️ also at Christmas time she was so hesitant about letting herself fall in love it was too the point of annoyance and then after she doesn’t it jumps to a year later (so obviously Christmas time and you know what she tells us? She got married that summer so roughly 6 months🤦🏼♀️ she was like I know it’s was impulse and blah blah but I know it’s right. Like lady, 6 months before that u didn’t even want to give Adam a chance🫥 and then u marry him on the whim? It’s impulsive for most people completely insane for u🫠
October 24, 2023
TITLE: The Twelve Dogs of Christmas
AUTHOR: Susan Wiggs
PUB DATE: 10.17.2023 Now Available
The ultimate holiday gift from New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs: a delightful novel about a Christmas transport of rescue puppies that’s guaranteed to warm readers’ hearts.
I was craving something cozy to read to escape all the stress lately, and this book certainly was a perfect pick for me. There are pups galore waiting to be rescued, Avalon a wonderful small town setting, a handsome paramedic, and a woman who hates Christmas, all in a charming and heartwarming story sure to melt hearts. I enjoyed this wonderful romance and the road to the HEA was a fun one.
AUTHOR: Susan Wiggs
PUB DATE: 10.17.2023 Now Available
The ultimate holiday gift from New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs: a delightful novel about a Christmas transport of rescue puppies that’s guaranteed to warm readers’ hearts.
I was craving something cozy to read to escape all the stress lately, and this book certainly was a perfect pick for me. There are pups galore waiting to be rescued, Avalon a wonderful small town setting, a handsome paramedic, and a woman who hates Christmas, all in a charming and heartwarming story sure to melt hearts. I enjoyed this wonderful romance and the road to the HEA was a fun one.
December 8, 2025
A warm and fuzzy holiday romance with some pups thrown in. A light easy read that went a little deeper than I expected.
November 8, 2023
Meh. The premise of the story was cute but the execution was lacking. The dialogue was so juvenile and ridiculous. I had to keep reminding myself that these were adults and not teenagers. Someone get Wiggs a thesaurus because she used “cool” and “awesome” more times than a freshman at his first “cool kids” party. One extra star for the dogs.
November 14, 2023
4.75 stars
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, by Susan Wiggs is an absolutely enchanting, feel-good Christmas story. This story is a delight! The cover is gorgeous, the dogs were charming, the town is quintessential Christmas cheer, and the romance is heart-warming. The sentiment of not loving Christmas and the struggle of being surrounded by the season and all the frivolities everywhere you look was valid and realistic.
This story features Brenda, whose latest Christmas ends in disaster when she almost loses her new pup and finds out that her husband has been cheating. A past Christmas was also hauntingly sorrowful for her, and intrinsically tied into the holiday, the wintery cold, and pivotal heartbreak.
When she is asked by her friend and fellow Underdogs volunteer, Dolly, to help drive a group of 11 dogs (in addition to her own) to the north to be placed in their forever homes, she reluctantly agrees. Brenda prefers to ignore Christmas and stay as far away from the cold as possible, but she cares deeply for the dogs and the organization. When a harrowing car accident occurs just a few miles outside of town, Brenda is forced to spend more time in the town than she originally planned, and steps in to take on greater responsibility than previously expected. The effects are significant and long-lasting. The story that follows is sweet, festive, insightful, and touching.
There were times when I didn’t care for how stubborn the main character was about her antipathy towards Christmas, though it was ultimately understandable. She was also unreasonably adamant about returning to her warm, “safe”, home in the south, despite how welcomed and idyllic her time in Avalon was. I was also a bit uncomfortable that Brenda was a primary reason why Adam wasn’t giving his ex-wife another chance. Despite all of that, this story was a joy to read. It was endearing, hopeful, humorous and heartfelt…the perfect, feel-good read for the season.
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, by Susan Wiggs is an absolutely enchanting, feel-good Christmas story. This story is a delight! The cover is gorgeous, the dogs were charming, the town is quintessential Christmas cheer, and the romance is heart-warming. The sentiment of not loving Christmas and the struggle of being surrounded by the season and all the frivolities everywhere you look was valid and realistic.
This story features Brenda, whose latest Christmas ends in disaster when she almost loses her new pup and finds out that her husband has been cheating. A past Christmas was also hauntingly sorrowful for her, and intrinsically tied into the holiday, the wintery cold, and pivotal heartbreak.
When she is asked by her friend and fellow Underdogs volunteer, Dolly, to help drive a group of 11 dogs (in addition to her own) to the north to be placed in their forever homes, she reluctantly agrees. Brenda prefers to ignore Christmas and stay as far away from the cold as possible, but she cares deeply for the dogs and the organization. When a harrowing car accident occurs just a few miles outside of town, Brenda is forced to spend more time in the town than she originally planned, and steps in to take on greater responsibility than previously expected. The effects are significant and long-lasting. The story that follows is sweet, festive, insightful, and touching.
There were times when I didn’t care for how stubborn the main character was about her antipathy towards Christmas, though it was ultimately understandable. She was also unreasonably adamant about returning to her warm, “safe”, home in the south, despite how welcomed and idyllic her time in Avalon was. I was also a bit uncomfortable that Brenda was a primary reason why Adam wasn’t giving his ex-wife another chance. Despite all of that, this story was a joy to read. It was endearing, hopeful, humorous and heartfelt…the perfect, feel-good read for the season.
December 22, 2023
Continuing with my Christmas reading binge, I think I have come across my fave one for the season. A story of delivering 11 dogs to their furever home in a blizzard? Yep, I was sold, before I ever even started the book.
The book summary lays out the primary storyline of transporting 11 dogs to new homes; Brenda’s dog, Tim, is along for the ride, hence, the title 12 dogs. There are also secondary storylines like Brenda’s absolute hatred for the Christmas season, especially Christmas Eve, which is when her father died, 20yrs ago, when she was nine. There is another one where she is supposed to be back in Houston by Christmas Eve for her mother’s retirement and family cruise. There is also another secondary storyline about a divorced dad, Adam, whose son is one of the recipients of the 11 dogs.
Traveling with her friend, Dolly, who is an absolute Christmas nut, just irritates Brenda even more. As the book summary indicates, one of the Christmas dogs’ escapes during a blizzard after an accident on the road and is found by an elderly man living along in a cabin in the hills and he doesn’t want to hand him over; he believes he is a Christmas miracle because his own dog died recently. Dolly is seriously injured and hospitalized, the van is inoperable and Brenda is stranded in Avalon and ends up at Adam’s mom’s B&B. Avalon is the typical Hallark, wintery, small-town drowning in Christmas spirit and decorated to the hilt, Brenda’s worst nightmare.
Most of the story revolves around Brenda delivering the dogs to their new homes and waiting out in Avalon until the van can be repaired. As all Hallmark Christmas stories are pretty much required to do, there is the obligatory cutesy romance story between two unlikely MC’s. However, I found the doggie’s HEA the best part of the story. This is a wonderful Christmas story.
The book summary lays out the primary storyline of transporting 11 dogs to new homes; Brenda’s dog, Tim, is along for the ride, hence, the title 12 dogs. There are also secondary storylines like Brenda’s absolute hatred for the Christmas season, especially Christmas Eve, which is when her father died, 20yrs ago, when she was nine. There is another one where she is supposed to be back in Houston by Christmas Eve for her mother’s retirement and family cruise. There is also another secondary storyline about a divorced dad, Adam, whose son is one of the recipients of the 11 dogs.
Traveling with her friend, Dolly, who is an absolute Christmas nut, just irritates Brenda even more. As the book summary indicates, one of the Christmas dogs’ escapes during a blizzard after an accident on the road and is found by an elderly man living along in a cabin in the hills and he doesn’t want to hand him over; he believes he is a Christmas miracle because his own dog died recently. Dolly is seriously injured and hospitalized, the van is inoperable and Brenda is stranded in Avalon and ends up at Adam’s mom’s B&B. Avalon is the typical Hallark, wintery, small-town drowning in Christmas spirit and decorated to the hilt, Brenda’s worst nightmare.
Most of the story revolves around Brenda delivering the dogs to their new homes and waiting out in Avalon until the van can be repaired. As all Hallmark Christmas stories are pretty much required to do, there is the obligatory cutesy romance story between two unlikely MC’s. However, I found the doggie’s HEA the best part of the story. This is a wonderful Christmas story.
November 7, 2023
if a hallmark movie was a book
December 4, 2023
A bit predictable. Nice happy ending story. I wanted more on dog story line.
December 18, 2023
3.5 stars. I was distracted by a couple of continuity errors that should have been caught by an editor. Extreme instalove but had some nice moments.
October 3, 2023
Dogs and Christmas. Two of my favorite things! And when you add in the sparkle of Susan Wiggs... well, you get the best settings for holiday reading magic.
5 tail-wagging stars!
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5 tail-wagging stars!
Follow me on
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October 26, 2023
A heartwarming Christmas Story that will melt your heart.
December 24, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this wonderful Christmas story. If you are a dog lover like I am it’s a must read.
I absolutely loved this wonderful Christmas story. If you are a dog lover like I am it’s a must read.
October 20, 2023
I feel like I should have liked this one a lot more than I did, but Brenda kinda drove me nuts. I get why she had so many issues, but you could see how she was about to throw away so much potential in Avalon just because. I'm glad that she came to her senses because what Brenda found in Avalon is what she has been chasing her whole life.
October 14, 2023
I received a free copy of, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, by Susan Wiggs, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Brenda is not a fan of Christmas, after finding out last Christmas about her husband cheating on her. Brenda decides to drive with twelve rescue dogs in winter, what could possible go wrong. This is a cute holiday read, I enjoyed it.
January 12, 2024
Really two and a half stars. What a disappointment this was! From the title and cover, I thought the dogs would be the main focus of the plot. No - Brenda's love life is the main focus. The dogs just serve to get the two romantic lead characters together. The book is short (under 250 pages), and some scenes in the story didn't get enough pages to make the reader care about what's happening. The romance felt pretty lukewarm, too. I won't be seeking out any more books by this author.
December 30, 2023
Brenda Malloy has issues with Christmas, but she loves dogs. It makes sense that she jumps at the chance to avoid festivities by driving from Houston to the Catskills in New York with 12 rescue dogs. What could go wrong or right for that matter?
This is a cute holiday story that of course involves a romance and sometimes that is what the doctor ordered.
This is a cute holiday story that of course involves a romance and sometimes that is what the doctor ordered.
December 13, 2023
Wanted more dog content, less insta-love, didn’t like the cheesy banter and internal dialogue from Adam, got tired of Brenda’s constant negativity
November 25, 2023
SO GOOD!! This was everything I hoped it would be: a small town full of Christmas cheer and a quirky community of family and friends, plus the book centered around rescuing a bunch of dogs!
There are two main parts of the story: Dolly and Brenda are driving twelve dogs from Houston, TX to Avalon, NY where they will be united with families waiting to adopt them. Dolly loves Christmas, Brenda can't stand Christmas. After a long ride full of Dolly's Christmas carols and holiday cheer, there is a snowstorm and an accident. Brenda finds herself stranded in Avalon while she waits for her van to be repaired.
Adam is a single father who has secretly adopted one of the dogs from Houston for his 4-year-old son's birthday. Right in the middle of Will's birthday party, Adam gets a call to assist with a vehicle accident. He's the paramedic on scene at Dolly and Brenda's accident. When Dolly's injuries require hospitalization and recuperation, Adam is the one that helps her deliver all of the pups to their new homes.
I'm a sucker for a dog book, and this one was fantastic. There is plenty of time with the dogs on the pages, and it is safe for readers that don't want to read about sad outcomes with dogs. I'm also a sucker for Christmas-y stories where I can practically feel the cold, snowy weather while I'm reading, where I can imagine myself walking in the beautifully decorated town square. This story felt like Christmas.
This is one of my favorite books from this year, and I'm adding it to my rotation for seasonal rereads. I just loved it so much.
Sidenote: This story takes place in the same area as Ms. Wiggs' Lakeshore Chronicles series. Avalon, NY, right by Willow Lake and Camp Kioga. There is also character crossover! I love the connection to Wiggs' other books.
Many thanks to William Morrow for sending me an early digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There are two main parts of the story: Dolly and Brenda are driving twelve dogs from Houston, TX to Avalon, NY where they will be united with families waiting to adopt them. Dolly loves Christmas, Brenda can't stand Christmas. After a long ride full of Dolly's Christmas carols and holiday cheer, there is a snowstorm and an accident. Brenda finds herself stranded in Avalon while she waits for her van to be repaired.
Adam is a single father who has secretly adopted one of the dogs from Houston for his 4-year-old son's birthday. Right in the middle of Will's birthday party, Adam gets a call to assist with a vehicle accident. He's the paramedic on scene at Dolly and Brenda's accident. When Dolly's injuries require hospitalization and recuperation, Adam is the one that helps her deliver all of the pups to their new homes.
I'm a sucker for a dog book, and this one was fantastic. There is plenty of time with the dogs on the pages, and it is safe for readers that don't want to read about sad outcomes with dogs. I'm also a sucker for Christmas-y stories where I can practically feel the cold, snowy weather while I'm reading, where I can imagine myself walking in the beautifully decorated town square. This story felt like Christmas.
This is one of my favorite books from this year, and I'm adding it to my rotation for seasonal rereads. I just loved it so much.
Sidenote: This story takes place in the same area as Ms. Wiggs' Lakeshore Chronicles series. Avalon, NY, right by Willow Lake and Camp Kioga. There is also character crossover! I love the connection to Wiggs' other books.
Many thanks to William Morrow for sending me an early digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2025
A cute, predictable story involving falling in love and dogs. What's not to like? This was a quick read that I enjoyed for the most part. Although, I do have to admit Brenda's dislike of Christmas (more pointedly the reason why) started to grate on me after a while. It's like, let it go already. Also, the end felt a bit rushed after all of Brenda's reluctance to let herself fall for Adam. Still, it was worth the read for a holiday season book.
January 1, 2024
This was an absolutely charming Christmas novel full of heart and warmth and romance- PG hallmark level - I thought it was precious and just loved the story of the dogs being adopted and rescued at Christmas time and the author is donating a portion of sales for this book to dog charities. It was just the read that I needed to end the Christmas season on.
February 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this Christmas themed romance. It was sweet and cozy and --- DOGS!!!! (However, I didn't know it was part of a series until I brought up its Goodreads page.)
We have Scroogetta, 12 dogs (11 going to new homes), and a town that does way too much Christmas. Plus a sexy paramedic/EMT and a snowstorm. What's not to love?
We have Scroogetta, 12 dogs (11 going to new homes), and a town that does way too much Christmas. Plus a sexy paramedic/EMT and a snowstorm. What's not to love?
December 28, 2024
Brenda Malloy has been trying to rebuild her life since last Christmas when she found out her husband had been cheating on her. The two things she does not want in her life are love and Christmas. She has been doing pretty well keeping them out until Dolly, a friend and co-worker with a dog rescue group that both work for needs a second driver to take eleven dogs from Houston to Avalon, NY, to their forever homes. Brenda's dog, Tim, accompanies them.
When a major snowstorm causes them to have an accident and her friend is hurt, Brenda and a handsome paramedic, Adam Belamy, end up trying to round up the greyhound that has run off during the storm. Because the van needs repairing, Adam volunteers to chauffeur Brenda around as she gives him and his little boy Will tips on training the rambunctious husky they are adopting. Christmas and love challenge Brenda's determinations.
This is a well-written rom com with mostly good language but a lax view of sexual relationships. Brenda, nicknamed Scroogetta, fits her nickname well. Adam and Dolly add interest to the story. If you like stories with dogs, you will probably enjoy this one.
When a major snowstorm causes them to have an accident and her friend is hurt, Brenda and a handsome paramedic, Adam Belamy, end up trying to round up the greyhound that has run off during the storm. Because the van needs repairing, Adam volunteers to chauffeur Brenda around as she gives him and his little boy Will tips on training the rambunctious husky they are adopting. Christmas and love challenge Brenda's determinations.
This is a well-written rom com with mostly good language but a lax view of sexual relationships. Brenda, nicknamed Scroogetta, fits her nickname well. Adam and Dolly add interest to the story. If you like stories with dogs, you will probably enjoy this one.
November 6, 2023
Last Christmas was a combination of good and not so good as Brenda was able to save her beloved dog Tim, but it exposed her husband and resulted in the demise of their marriage. In the last year she has proceeded with making a new life for herself and that includes devoting more of her time to a dog rescue which is how she finds herself on a road trip escorting 11 dogs to their new homes, but all does not go according to plan.
Adam is there when Brenda needed someone the most but this single father with a huge heart does more than help her out of the current situation, he also agrees to go with her to ensure that she is able to escort the dogs to their homes. The more time they spend together the closer they become but where do they go from here?
Adam and his son Willie are exactly who Brenda needs in her life as they show her the magic of love, family and Christmas. When you add in the adorable menagerie of dogs this is a story that is sure to warm your heart.
Adam is there when Brenda needed someone the most but this single father with a huge heart does more than help her out of the current situation, he also agrees to go with her to ensure that she is able to escort the dogs to their homes. The more time they spend together the closer they become but where do they go from here?
Adam and his son Willie are exactly who Brenda needs in her life as they show her the magic of love, family and Christmas. When you add in the adorable menagerie of dogs this is a story that is sure to warm your heart.
October 3, 2023
Is Christmas Going to the Dogs? “The Twelve Dogs of Christmas” by Author Susan Wiggs is a captivating and heartwarming “Christmas Tale/Tail.” I loved everything about this novel! The genres for this novel are Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Christmas Fiction, Romance, and Holiday Fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past regarding the characters or events. The story takes place in Houston and Avalon, warm and cold climates, respectively.
I appreciate how Susan Wiggs vividly describes her colorful and dramatic characters. As an animal lover and dog owner, each rescued dog has a distinctive personality, making this special. The human characters are complex and complicated. They are likable and relatable. Brenda Mallory isn’t a fan of Christmas because of memories that haunt her. Last Christmas, Brenda, and her husband took Tim, her special dog, to the Vet because Tim had swallowed sexy red undergarments that didn’t belong to Brenda. Tim was fine, but that was the end of Brenda’s marriage. Brenda is involved with raising funds for a volunteer dog rescue group.
In an emergency, Brenda finds herself hauling 12 dogs to their new homes in Avalon with her friend. Can you imagine what a wonderful gift it is for people to adopt and receive their special dog? The weather is really cold in Avalon, and the trip is difficult because the dogs have to be walked and fed and put back in their crates and in the large van. A few dogs are very challenging, and Brenda finds she has quite an adventure. This trip is 2,000 miles, and her friends and family worry about her. There is ice and a major snowstorm. Things don’t go as planned. The driving is difficult, and some deer are in front of the van, and there is trouble.
Brenda meets Adam Bellamy, a single dad and EMT, who does come to the rescue. Adam promises to help Brenda deliver the dogs to their new owners. Adam loves Avalon and is committed to staying because of his son. Brenda can’t wait to head back to Texas, where it is warm. Sparks are flying between Brenda and Adam. If only the dogs could talk! I highly recommend this memorable, entertaining, feel-good book. Happy Reading!
December 11, 2025
Everything about this book was predictable. The chaotic transport, the hunky rescuer, the Christmas Scrooge, the quick romance & the happily-ever-after. But the dogs are a sweet twist and the story is a great holiday season palate cleanser. I definitely enjoyed reading it.
December 3, 2023
Dogs, snow, dogs, fear, bravery, dogs…..what a wonderful Christmas story!!
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