Dog Days of Summer

Comfort Paws #1

by Teri Wilson

The Hill Country is no match for Manhattan. Or is it?  The only thing standing between Maple Leighton and her dream of becoming a veterinarian? Just one year in small-town Bluebonnet, Texas. But fulfilling the conditions of her scholarship won’t be easy, especially once buttoned-up Maple learns why she was left the quaint practice. Plus, she has to contend with know-it-all town pediatrician Ford Bishop! Gregarious Ford's clearly suspicious of Maple's motives. But as his suspicion fades—and as Maple makes friends throughout town with the help of a gorgeous golden retriever—the attraction sparking between the unlikely duo can't be denied. There’s just something about the Texas sun that might give these two opposites a new leash on love!  From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.Comfort Paws

Genres: Romance, Harlequin

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published June 25, 2024

About the author

New York Times Bestselling Author Teri Wilson writes heartwarming contemporary romance with a touch of whimsy. Four of Teri’s books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel Original Movies, including UNLEASHING MR. DARCY (plus its sequel MARRYING MR. DARCY), ROYAL-ISH, based on her book ONCE UPON A ROYAL SUMMER, THE ART OF US and NORTHERN LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS, based on her book SLEIGH BELL SWEETHEARTS. She is also a recipient of the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction and a 2022 inductee into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame.

When she’s not writing, Teri enjoys volunteering in her community with her Cavalier King Charles spaniel Charm, a registered therapy dog, reading education assistance dog and crisis emergency response canine. Teri is also a three-time volunteer at the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race in Alaska and has been active in conformation dog shows and performance events.

A cupcake enthusiast, Teri also loves Hallmark movies, barre classes, crocheting and taking her dogs out for pup cups. Visit her at www.teriwilson.net or on Instagram @teriwilsonauthor.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of the Comfort Paws series set in Bluebonnet, Texas

Teri Wilson has created a hill country Texas town that I would love to live in!

Maple Leighton is arriving to fulfill the conditions of her scholarship and work at the vet clinic. Pediatrician Ford Bishop is one of the first residents she meets. Secrets that change the course of Maples life are revealed. Maple also becomes the guardian of an emotional support dog, Lady Bird.

I also enjoyed the bonus story Sit Stay Heal, which introduced us to more residents of Bluebonnet.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a heartwarming book to pack in your beach bag or carryon, or to keep you company while escaping heat or hurricanes, look no further than Dog Days of Summer by Teri Wilson!! I was so captivated by these characters and their story that I read it in one sitting!! Set in the Texas Hill Country, this book is charming and sweet, but there are also obstacles and challenges that the characters must overcome before they get their happily ever after—it made my heart melt. Did I mention that there are adorable therapy and rescue dogs?? Dog Days of Summer is the first in a series about therapy dogs and the relationships of the humans around them—and I can’t wait for the next one!

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars! This was so cute. Teri Wilson is one of my fave Harlequin authors and I love this therapy dog series by her, set in small town Texas.

[Jennifer Maloney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dog Days of Summer ⭐️⭐️✨
I was largely uninvested in this one. I expected the bulk of the story to be about this vet clinic that she inherited, but we really only saw a smidge of the clinic at the beginning and then more at the very end. Most of the story was about her realizing she should start a therapy dog program. Which… fair. But it just wasn’t what I was expecting to find so I spent most of the book waiting for it to get back to the point.

The chemistry also, was lacking for this couple. The dog was cute though. So there’s that. And the town was cute. I’ll be happy to finish the rest of this series.

Sit Stay Heal ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I much preferred this story, even though it was shorter. The characters had real chemistry and honest misunderstandings that they maturely discussed. I really enjoyed getting to know these too.

I also loved that this story centered around ballet. I feel like that’s not a profession I see a lot in books. Could’ve used more of it, honestly, but it was fun what we did get. The little dog in this book was adorable too. We met her in the last book, and it was fun to see more of her.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 books in one

This was actually 2 books, and I really enjoyed both of them. The first one centered around Maple, who came to Bluebonnet to work in a veterinary clinic, only to discover the person who hired her was her biological father. She also inherited his Golden Retriever and met the local pediatrician when he brought his grandmother to the clinic. Book 2 centers on the adopter of a Cavalier that had been left on the doorstep of the veterinary clinic in the first book. She is working towards a therapy dog test with the Cavalier and owns a dance studio. She is tricked into helping her HS boyfriend with his shoulder injury from his professional football game. 10 years ago he left her alone at homecoming. I would like to read more in the series about the ladies in Bluebonnet.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Maple Leighton, it was supposed to be only a year of scholarship in the small town of Bluebonnet, Texas, before going back to New York and be a veterinarian. But on the day she arrives at the veterinary clinic, she learns from one of the doctor that she's the biological daughter of the man who used to be his associate and that she inherite not just half the business but also his house and his dog. And as Maple will soon learn, Lady Bird the golden retriever is a very important and busy citizen in town. On her first day, she also meet the town pediatrician, Ford Bishop in unusual circumstances. Who will convince Maple to star in Bluebonnet. Is it him or Lady Bird ?

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t a short category romance. I wish we could have seen more of her processing the *no spoiler* and investigating it. Such a shock and just glossed over because it’s a 197 page romance.

[Shirley Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, closed-door romance. Maple arrives in Texas to find everything she's ever known isn't right. Thankfully there is Ladybird, a sweet therapy dog, to help her as she navigates her new life. And Ford helps too despite their strange first meeting.

[Harlequin Books]

Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Comfort Paws

[Susan (What Susan Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect summer romance! I love Ford, I love Bluebonnet and I love Lady Bird!

[Nadine Augustyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet. Cute.

[Anne Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked a lot about this book, the author did a great job of showing the veterinary side of things and therapy dog without it being preachy or textbooky.