Remember how we decided to try again if we were both single when we turned twenty-eight?
Rory Kelley works at an animal shelter where she can really identify with the animals that no one seems to want to adopt. She's bonded with Spam, a tiny, high-energy dog that has been returned to the shelter every time he's been adopted. So, when budget cuts ended her job, she adopted Sam and headed to HiLo for the reunion.
Every boyfriend she's had since college has dumped her. The latest one, Finn, just did it by text. It's always been, "You're a wonderful girl, but this just isn't working for me."
She was raised in the small town of High Lonesome, AKA HiLo. She just received a flyer about her ten-year reunion being held in two weeks. She's not sure if she wants to attend. If she did, it would mean running into Yvonne, the self-appointed queen (and mean girl) of their graduating class, and her crew, along with Nate Patterson, the boy she broke up with just before graduation. He had planned to become a cop in a big city. Instead, he went away to train but returned home to serve as a canine officer with his dog, Ollie, in HiLo.
Allie, her best friend since they were ten, has called to chat about the reunion. They had bonded while both worked for Mandy, the owner of Lonesome Acres, a local stable, mucking stalls and doing chores in exchange for riding lessons. Allie had been a late bloomer. To most, she was hidden behind her acne, glasses, bad hair, thrift store clothing by choice, and wild schemes, like setting chickens loose in the school to get out of a test. Now she lives in Chicago and works as an event planner at a PR firm.
Nate has never loved anyone other than Rory. He's dated occasionally, but he's never been serious about anyone else.
When Rory arrived in town, she'd planned on staying at her parents' home while they were on a cruise. However, she couldn't find the spare key. Her brother, Dylan, is remodeling his home and doesn't have room for her. When she shows up on Nate's doorstep, he informs her that he'll only be her date for the reunion if she stays with him.
Being accustomed to Ollie, a superbly trained dog, both Nate and Ollie are appalled with Spam's behavior. Ollie has some definite opinions about both Rory and her little dog, too. Realizing how much Nate loves Rory convinces Ollie that he can love her, too, despite that tiny rat of a dog with her. Besides, ya gotta love someone who'll sneak ya treats!
I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.