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The Dog Park Murders: A Grumpy Sunshine Cozy Mystery Romance
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Expected 25 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
2 days and 02:37:07
20 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 23, 2026
*Thank you Harlequin for this advanced copy.*
While this was ultimately a light-hearted and fairly enjoyable read, I did walk away with quite a few gripes. I should preface this by saying that over the years I’ve fallen somewhat out of favour with romance novels. However, this one piqued my interest because of the murder-mystery element and the inclusion of dogs—two things that made me curious enough to give it a try.
I do enjoy a good grumpy–sunshine trope, but only when it’s handled with some subtlety. Here, it felt far too on the nose. Rather than allowing the dynamic to emerge naturally through character interactions, the MMC quite literally calls her “sunshine” multiple times. Pet names can be charming, but they lose their charm when they feel generic or overused. Where was the individuality? The creativity? Instead of being shown the chemistry and emotional texture of the relationship, we are frequently told what it is supposed to be.
This extends beyond the romance. Much of the writing felt overly explanatory, as though every emotional beat or character trait had to be spelled out rather than allowed to unfold through context or subtext. It gave the impression that the reader wasn’t trusted to piece together the nuances of human interaction on their own.
The quirky small-town setting is clearly aiming for that cosy, nostalgic atmosphere that many readers love right now—the kind of charm often associated with something like Gilmore Girls. Unfortunately, the town and its folks never quite came alive for me. The characters we meet along the way felt more like sketches of personalities rather than fully realised individuals, which made the setting itself feel flatter than it probably intended to be.
The dogs, admittedly, were fun. Their presence added a playful element and were one of the more enjoyable aspects of the book. That said, their role sometimes felt a bit excessive. They were woven into the narrative so frequently that it occasionally tipped from charming into slightly over-the-top.
Finally, the murder mystery—which was the element that initially drew me in—felt underdeveloped. It often seemed pushed into the background in favour of the romance and the town’s antics. For a story that introduces such a potentially intriguing hook, I expected that aspect to carry more narrative weight or tension.
I love a book that embraces a bit of weirdness, and there are certainly ways to lean into that tone successfully. Unfortunately, this one ended up sitting in an awkward space somewhere between cosy and quirky without fully committing to either. It’s frustrating, because there are ingredients here that could have made for something truly delightful. I wanted to love it—but in the end, it never quite came together.
While this was ultimately a light-hearted and fairly enjoyable read, I did walk away with quite a few gripes. I should preface this by saying that over the years I’ve fallen somewhat out of favour with romance novels. However, this one piqued my interest because of the murder-mystery element and the inclusion of dogs—two things that made me curious enough to give it a try.
I do enjoy a good grumpy–sunshine trope, but only when it’s handled with some subtlety. Here, it felt far too on the nose. Rather than allowing the dynamic to emerge naturally through character interactions, the MMC quite literally calls her “sunshine” multiple times. Pet names can be charming, but they lose their charm when they feel generic or overused. Where was the individuality? The creativity? Instead of being shown the chemistry and emotional texture of the relationship, we are frequently told what it is supposed to be.
This extends beyond the romance. Much of the writing felt overly explanatory, as though every emotional beat or character trait had to be spelled out rather than allowed to unfold through context or subtext. It gave the impression that the reader wasn’t trusted to piece together the nuances of human interaction on their own.
The quirky small-town setting is clearly aiming for that cosy, nostalgic atmosphere that many readers love right now—the kind of charm often associated with something like Gilmore Girls. Unfortunately, the town and its folks never quite came alive for me. The characters we meet along the way felt more like sketches of personalities rather than fully realised individuals, which made the setting itself feel flatter than it probably intended to be.
The dogs, admittedly, were fun. Their presence added a playful element and were one of the more enjoyable aspects of the book. That said, their role sometimes felt a bit excessive. They were woven into the narrative so frequently that it occasionally tipped from charming into slightly over-the-top.
Finally, the murder mystery—which was the element that initially drew me in—felt underdeveloped. It often seemed pushed into the background in favour of the romance and the town’s antics. For a story that introduces such a potentially intriguing hook, I expected that aspect to carry more narrative weight or tension.
I love a book that embraces a bit of weirdness, and there are certainly ways to lean into that tone successfully. Unfortunately, this one ended up sitting in an awkward space somewhere between cosy and quirky without fully committing to either. It’s frustrating, because there are ingredients here that could have made for something truly delightful. I wanted to love it—but in the end, it never quite came together.
March 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher and author for a free advance copy. I really enjoyed this book. It drew me in from the start which is a bit rare. There is plot with the mystery, not too complicated but descent enough to be interesting. The characters were likeable and the dogs a lot too! There were elements of classic chic lit but i liked the fact they were satirically mentioned in the book too. Clever writing, interesting, funny, kept me wanting to keep on reading. I only took a star out because of the classic romantic stuff. I must say i kept thinking that yes the romance is there and some of the usual descriptions filling in random details but not too much. I could keep the focal story in mind and it didn’t break the focus from the plot. Will be looking for more from the author. It was a fun and relaxing read
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I need this on record: this is one of the worst books I have ever read. It is genuinely embarrassing.
This gives heavy Baby Dragon Cafe energy (my most hated book series of all time) with its cringe dialogue, forced charm, awkward spice, shallow characterisation, and a desperate attempt to manufacture a cute, lived-in small town that never feels authentic. It tries so hard to be whimsical and cosy that it ends up feeling repetitive, shallow, and painfully one-note.
It collapses under its own gimmick within the first few pages.
The book claims to be The Pumpkin Spice Café meets Only Murders in the Building. That immediately got my attention! I was sat.
It is nothing of the sort.
The marketing is doing some HEAVY lifting.
There is nothing cosy about this. You can’t slap a small town setting on something and call it cosy. Cosy requires atmosphere, warmth, believable community dynamics, fun characters, and an actual plot.
This had none of that.
The atmosphere never delivers that warm, comforting, curl-up-with-a-blanket feeling. It all feels so hollow.
I very nearly DNFed this two pages in. The opening scene was my warning. I didn't listen. We open with a very suggestive scene. Think thighs shaking, FMC on all fours, moaning, Brad licking somewhere very suggestive. Like, okay! Just jumping straight in without any preamble. Respect.
Then it’s revealed that Brad… is a dog.
I don’t know why it grossed me out as much as it did. It’s trying to be clever as a bait-and-switch, but I cringed so hard I think I broke a rib. I had to pause and question my life choices before continuing.
And then the pattern begins.
From there, the book becomes a relentless cycle of dogs. Not metaphorically. Literally.
The entire book is dogs.
People looking at dogs. Talking about dogs. Thinking about dogs. Walking dogs. Feeding dogs.
Every conversation. Every emotional revelation. Every argument. Every character arc. Dogs.
The story is so singularly obsessed with dogs that it stops feeling like a plot and starts feeling like a themed brochure. Entire chapters pass without anything moving forward because nothing exists outside the dog fixation. There is no escalation or complexity, just repetition dressed up as content.
It is repetitive to the point of absurdity.
I am NOT exaggerating. There are maybe two conversations in the entire book that don’t revolve around dogs. There isn’t a single plot point that doesn’t involve dogs. Every emotional beat. Every revelation. Every trauma.
Dogs, dogs, dogs.
I know what you're thinking. "But Sadie, it's called The Dog Park Murders, surely you expected dogs?" Well, yeah. I expected a lot of dogs, but not at the expense of character growth and an interesting, engaging plot.
It becomes exhausting.
It genuinely feels like the author ran out of ideas but decided to double down instead of expanding the world or giving their characters depth.
Joel’s trauma? He’s divorced. His wife got custody of the dog. That’s it.
That is the grand emotional wound that supposedly explains why he is closed off, negative, distrusting, and emotionally damaged. The book treats it with extreme reverence, as if it’s profound psychological devastation.
It isn’t layered or compelling. It feels inflated purely to manufacture depth.
Honestly, all the “trauma” in this book reads like parody.
It’s giving: “One time I bought my dog a collar and he didn’t like it… how can I ever trust again? 😭😭😭”
It’s impossible to take seriously.
I was actually curious at the start. I thought, surely there must be something substantial behind this brooding exterior. What made him so whiny? So emotionally shut down?
Nope.
That’s the big reveal. (okay, there's a little more than that, but it all gets overshadowed by the dog stuff)
I found it all incredibly stupid. It’s not meaningful. It’s not nuanced. It feels trivialised and stretched to pretend there’s emotional weight where there isn’t any.
There are constant fake-out introductions where characters are described with dramatic detail and emotional framing, only for it to be a dog. Over and over again. It stops being clever immediately and becomes embarrassing. It feels childish rather than witty.
The romance didn't work at all. I didn’t believe the chemistry between Juliette and Joel for a second. They felt more like siblings than romantic leads. There's no spark or tension. Zero emotional pull. Individually they were barely fine; together they were completely flat and the dynamic never clicked. The relationship never develops organic heat or intimacy, it simply happens because the genre requires it.
Joel in particular was exhausting. I love a grumpy x sunshine dynamic when it’s done well. This wasn’t that.
This was a man who treated every minor inconvenience like a catastrophe. Making a phone call felt unbearable. Existing felt unbearable. His internal monologue was constant negativity. Dude never got out of his emo phase. Instead of being broody or complex, he was draining. Tedious. Emotionally flat.
The mystery is barely present and every moment of tension feels fake. Arguments between side characters flare up and are resolved almost immediately. We get these 'dramatic' confrontations that last maybe three lines, and then everything is back to normal. No buildup, consequences, or sustained stakes. Conflict exists only to create noise, and then promptly disappears.
Pure filler tension.
People snap at each other over trivial misunderstandings that feel artificially inflated. There’s no depth behind anything.
And the spice?
Oh my.
The spice is bad. Just plain bad.
There’s buildup. There are hints. There are repeated suggestions of intensity. And when it finally happens... it’s vague and completely underwhelming. It doesn't deliver on the expectations it sets and feels like the book teases something stronger but never commits.
I wonder if the spice would have been better if Joel was an actual dog? Because I honestly thought that was the direction this book was heading in... I would have given an extra half star for unhinged creativity, at least.
This is a book that wants to feel whimsical and heartfelt but instead reads as creatively limited. It's stagnant and one-dimensional.
It's not charming.
It's not clever.
It's not cosy.
It's an exhausting loop of dogs, forced drama, hollow trauma, nonexistent mystery, flat romance, and undercooked spice.
One of the most disappointing reads I've ever endured.
This gives heavy Baby Dragon Cafe energy (my most hated book series of all time) with its cringe dialogue, forced charm, awkward spice, shallow characterisation, and a desperate attempt to manufacture a cute, lived-in small town that never feels authentic. It tries so hard to be whimsical and cosy that it ends up feeling repetitive, shallow, and painfully one-note.
It collapses under its own gimmick within the first few pages.
The book claims to be The Pumpkin Spice Café meets Only Murders in the Building. That immediately got my attention! I was sat.
It is nothing of the sort.
The marketing is doing some HEAVY lifting.
There is nothing cosy about this. You can’t slap a small town setting on something and call it cosy. Cosy requires atmosphere, warmth, believable community dynamics, fun characters, and an actual plot.
This had none of that.
The atmosphere never delivers that warm, comforting, curl-up-with-a-blanket feeling. It all feels so hollow.
I very nearly DNFed this two pages in. The opening scene was my warning. I didn't listen. We open with a very suggestive scene. Think thighs shaking, FMC on all fours, moaning, Brad licking somewhere very suggestive. Like, okay! Just jumping straight in without any preamble. Respect.
Then it’s revealed that Brad… is a dog.
I don’t know why it grossed me out as much as it did. It’s trying to be clever as a bait-and-switch, but I cringed so hard I think I broke a rib. I had to pause and question my life choices before continuing.
And then the pattern begins.
From there, the book becomes a relentless cycle of dogs. Not metaphorically. Literally.
The entire book is dogs.
People looking at dogs. Talking about dogs. Thinking about dogs. Walking dogs. Feeding dogs.
Every conversation. Every emotional revelation. Every argument. Every character arc. Dogs.
The story is so singularly obsessed with dogs that it stops feeling like a plot and starts feeling like a themed brochure. Entire chapters pass without anything moving forward because nothing exists outside the dog fixation. There is no escalation or complexity, just repetition dressed up as content.
It is repetitive to the point of absurdity.
I am NOT exaggerating. There are maybe two conversations in the entire book that don’t revolve around dogs. There isn’t a single plot point that doesn’t involve dogs. Every emotional beat. Every revelation. Every trauma.
Dogs, dogs, dogs.
I know what you're thinking. "But Sadie, it's called The Dog Park Murders, surely you expected dogs?" Well, yeah. I expected a lot of dogs, but not at the expense of character growth and an interesting, engaging plot.
It becomes exhausting.
It genuinely feels like the author ran out of ideas but decided to double down instead of expanding the world or giving their characters depth.
Joel’s trauma? He’s divorced. His wife got custody of the dog. That’s it.
That is the grand emotional wound that supposedly explains why he is closed off, negative, distrusting, and emotionally damaged. The book treats it with extreme reverence, as if it’s profound psychological devastation.
It isn’t layered or compelling. It feels inflated purely to manufacture depth.
Honestly, all the “trauma” in this book reads like parody.
It’s giving: “One time I bought my dog a collar and he didn’t like it… how can I ever trust again? 😭😭😭”
It’s impossible to take seriously.
I was actually curious at the start. I thought, surely there must be something substantial behind this brooding exterior. What made him so whiny? So emotionally shut down?
Nope.
That’s the big reveal. (okay, there's a little more than that, but it all gets overshadowed by the dog stuff)
I found it all incredibly stupid. It’s not meaningful. It’s not nuanced. It feels trivialised and stretched to pretend there’s emotional weight where there isn’t any.
There are constant fake-out introductions where characters are described with dramatic detail and emotional framing, only for it to be a dog. Over and over again. It stops being clever immediately and becomes embarrassing. It feels childish rather than witty.
The romance didn't work at all. I didn’t believe the chemistry between Juliette and Joel for a second. They felt more like siblings than romantic leads. There's no spark or tension. Zero emotional pull. Individually they were barely fine; together they were completely flat and the dynamic never clicked. The relationship never develops organic heat or intimacy, it simply happens because the genre requires it.
Joel in particular was exhausting. I love a grumpy x sunshine dynamic when it’s done well. This wasn’t that.
This was a man who treated every minor inconvenience like a catastrophe. Making a phone call felt unbearable. Existing felt unbearable. His internal monologue was constant negativity. Dude never got out of his emo phase. Instead of being broody or complex, he was draining. Tedious. Emotionally flat.
The mystery is barely present and every moment of tension feels fake. Arguments between side characters flare up and are resolved almost immediately. We get these 'dramatic' confrontations that last maybe three lines, and then everything is back to normal. No buildup, consequences, or sustained stakes. Conflict exists only to create noise, and then promptly disappears.
Pure filler tension.
People snap at each other over trivial misunderstandings that feel artificially inflated. There’s no depth behind anything.
And the spice?
Oh my.
The spice is bad. Just plain bad.
There’s buildup. There are hints. There are repeated suggestions of intensity. And when it finally happens... it’s vague and completely underwhelming. It doesn't deliver on the expectations it sets and feels like the book teases something stronger but never commits.
I wonder if the spice would have been better if Joel was an actual dog? Because I honestly thought that was the direction this book was heading in... I would have given an extra half star for unhinged creativity, at least.
This is a book that wants to feel whimsical and heartfelt but instead reads as creatively limited. It's stagnant and one-dimensional.
It's not charming.
It's not clever.
It's not cosy.
It's an exhausting loop of dogs, forced drama, hollow trauma, nonexistent mystery, flat romance, and undercooked spice.
One of the most disappointing reads I've ever endured.
Read
March 17, 2026Thank you NetGalley and Herlequin-Romance for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let's start with something good: The novel was short. It was a very quick read.
Now for the rest of the review:
I'm very torn with leaving a rating because I think I set myself and this book up for failure. This isn't something I would ever truly consider reading if there weren't dogs involved in the summary. I love dogs, have worked in the pet business (doggy daycare and vet med) so I figured that if I wanted to expanded my genres, a cozy mystery that had dogs as a main plot of the story, I would like it. I was wrong. I seem to like dogs too much and did NOT enjoy the way the author chose to write the dogs. Not to sound like that person, but no well-bred show line dog that isn't a rare breed costs more than $5,000, and that's even pushing it. "A small fortune" is at least 10 grand, if not more. While I heavily related to Juliette, being all dog obsessed, I found her characterizations of dogs to be very generalized and lackluster. They felt very stereotypical and just pushed forward more bad characterizations of certain breeds that didn't sit right with me.
With that rant out of the way - let's look at the rest of the book. It gave everyone such extreme and cartoonish personalities. I truly felt like everyone we were introduced to got a completely different style with cartoonish personalities. I understand there are people like this out int he world, but in a book where every single character has extreme personalities? Once again, very stereotypical to the point that I just skipped the character intros after the first few because I didn't care for the next overly stereotyped person we are introduced to. These stereotypes even seemed to really consume our MCs, too. They had no depth to them besides their trope of grumpy/sunshine. Grumpy's reasons for being grumpy were quite ridiculous, in the sense that I was waiting for there to be more to why he was so grumpy. Sunshine is only sunshine to prove to the town that actively hates her that they don't mean anything to her even though all she can think about is how much the town hates her and she just wants to be accepted. Like girl, move. This town is absolutely terrible to you and your sister. Get tf outta there. It's as if Juliette is romanticizing her own life that actively sucks just so she can rationalizing staying in the town. The town really has nothing going for it except that it is a small town and she could 100% move to another small town for the same vibes. They would still gossip about her there, but they wouldn't all actively hate her and wish for her downfall.
Everything feels so forced. The sex, the fight after, both of their personalities. There is no dimension to these characters at all. We are being spoon fed these lines that should hit us emotionally, but nothing happens. Same with the trying hard to be inspirational. Almost every line of advice is forced and doesn't land right. Not to mention the killer reveal was subpar.
If I ever remember, I will come back and star the review. Since I said to start that I felt like I set the book up for failure, I don't want to hurt the book's ratings before it even comes out because the author did out time and effort into this novel. Also, this might be the right thing for someone else who likes this genre. I thought I wanted to branch out, but turns out, I like what I like.
Let's start with something good: The novel was short. It was a very quick read.
Now for the rest of the review:
I'm very torn with leaving a rating because I think I set myself and this book up for failure. This isn't something I would ever truly consider reading if there weren't dogs involved in the summary. I love dogs, have worked in the pet business (doggy daycare and vet med) so I figured that if I wanted to expanded my genres, a cozy mystery that had dogs as a main plot of the story, I would like it. I was wrong. I seem to like dogs too much and did NOT enjoy the way the author chose to write the dogs. Not to sound like that person, but no well-bred show line dog that isn't a rare breed costs more than $5,000, and that's even pushing it. "A small fortune" is at least 10 grand, if not more. While I heavily related to Juliette, being all dog obsessed, I found her characterizations of dogs to be very generalized and lackluster. They felt very stereotypical and just pushed forward more bad characterizations of certain breeds that didn't sit right with me.
With that rant out of the way - let's look at the rest of the book. It gave everyone such extreme and cartoonish personalities. I truly felt like everyone we were introduced to got a completely different style with cartoonish personalities. I understand there are people like this out int he world, but in a book where every single character has extreme personalities? Once again, very stereotypical to the point that I just skipped the character intros after the first few because I didn't care for the next overly stereotyped person we are introduced to. These stereotypes even seemed to really consume our MCs, too. They had no depth to them besides their trope of grumpy/sunshine. Grumpy's reasons for being grumpy were quite ridiculous, in the sense that I was waiting for there to be more to why he was so grumpy. Sunshine is only sunshine to prove to the town that actively hates her that they don't mean anything to her even though all she can think about is how much the town hates her and she just wants to be accepted. Like girl, move. This town is absolutely terrible to you and your sister. Get tf outta there. It's as if Juliette is romanticizing her own life that actively sucks just so she can rationalizing staying in the town. The town really has nothing going for it except that it is a small town and she could 100% move to another small town for the same vibes. They would still gossip about her there, but they wouldn't all actively hate her and wish for her downfall.
Everything feels so forced. The sex, the fight after, both of their personalities. There is no dimension to these characters at all. We are being spoon fed these lines that should hit us emotionally, but nothing happens. Same with the trying hard to be inspirational. Almost every line of advice is forced and doesn't land right. Not to mention the killer reveal was subpar.
If I ever remember, I will come back and star the review. Since I said to start that I felt like I set the book up for failure, I don't want to hurt the book's ratings before it even comes out because the author did out time and effort into this novel. Also, this might be the right thing for someone else who likes this genre. I thought I wanted to branch out, but turns out, I like what I like.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Dog Park Murders is an absolute delight of a cozy mystery—bright, charming, and threaded with just enough danger to keep the pages turning long after you meant to stop. Juliette Macintyre is instantly lovable: upbeat, dog‑obsessed, and trying her best to carve out a life that isn’t defined by her father’s mistakes. Labrador Falls may not welcome her with open arms, but she brings a kind of sunshine the town doesn’t quite know what to do with.
Enter Joel Cunningham, the grump to her glow. He’s all sharp edges and quiet brooding, running his café with the same no‑nonsense energy he applies to the rest of his life. He claims he doesn’t like dogs, which makes it even more delicious when Juliette saddles him with a foster pup and he slowly, reluctantly softens.
But beneath the banter and the slow‑burn chemistry lies a genuinely gripping mystery. When Juliette discovers a body in the dog park—strangled with one of her own handmade leashes—the story shifts into a clever, twisty investigation. The stakes rise quickly, especially with a detective who seems far too eager to pin the blame on her. Watching Juliette and Joel navigate clues, secrets, and their own growing connection is pure cozy‑crime joy.
The small‑town setting is wonderfully drawn, the canine cast is irresistible, and the mystery keeps its teeth sharp right to the end. The Dog Park Murders balances charm and suspense with effortless ease, making it a perfect pick for readers who love their whodunits with heart, humour, and a wagging tail.
With thanks to Angela Barker, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Enter Joel Cunningham, the grump to her glow. He’s all sharp edges and quiet brooding, running his café with the same no‑nonsense energy he applies to the rest of his life. He claims he doesn’t like dogs, which makes it even more delicious when Juliette saddles him with a foster pup and he slowly, reluctantly softens.
But beneath the banter and the slow‑burn chemistry lies a genuinely gripping mystery. When Juliette discovers a body in the dog park—strangled with one of her own handmade leashes—the story shifts into a clever, twisty investigation. The stakes rise quickly, especially with a detective who seems far too eager to pin the blame on her. Watching Juliette and Joel navigate clues, secrets, and their own growing connection is pure cozy‑crime joy.
The small‑town setting is wonderfully drawn, the canine cast is irresistible, and the mystery keeps its teeth sharp right to the end. The Dog Park Murders balances charm and suspense with effortless ease, making it a perfect pick for readers who love their whodunits with heart, humour, and a wagging tail.
With thanks to Angela Barker, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed The Dog Park Murders by Angela Barker (Stafanie London)! It’s a slow-burn, cozy small-town romance with a murder mystery twist. Arguably it may be a little too slow of a burn for my taste, but I still had a lot of fun with it.
Juliette is a relatable and likable FMC, and Joel’s willingness to trust her despite his traumatic past really endeared me to both characters. It also made me want to know more about what was going on with Joel. Their banter was deeply intimate while also being cute and funny, and they balance each other beautifully in this Grumpy x Sunshine dynamic. The emotional intimacy in their conversations definitely helped make the slow burn work for me.
Labrador Falls is pure camp, filled with nosy neighbors and big personalities. I loved that dogs are such a central part of the town. The side characters were also very memorable, and I truly hope this series continues because I’d love to see stories for Norah, Alexa, or Beau.
The spice level is quite low, which was a little disappointing for me. The story builds up expectations a few times—Joel hints at some impressive bedroom skills—but when the moment finally arrives, the scene feels rushed and lacks detail. There are a few kisses throughout, but the real intimacy in the book comes from Joel and Juliette opening up about their trauma and learning to trust and support one another.
I also appreciated how the book touches on heavier topics—grief, losing loved ones, murder, death, PTSD—without ever feeling overwhelmingly heavy. It was handled in a refreshing way.
One small nitpick: the story takes place in the United States, but there were several phrases that felt more UK or Australian. Since the author is Australian, I imagine a few slipped through, but it was occasionally distracting. Another small detail: the plural of “vinyl” is still “vinyl,” which stood out since a music store and records are a big part of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m very grateful to NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Juliette is a relatable and likable FMC, and Joel’s willingness to trust her despite his traumatic past really endeared me to both characters. It also made me want to know more about what was going on with Joel. Their banter was deeply intimate while also being cute and funny, and they balance each other beautifully in this Grumpy x Sunshine dynamic. The emotional intimacy in their conversations definitely helped make the slow burn work for me.
Labrador Falls is pure camp, filled with nosy neighbors and big personalities. I loved that dogs are such a central part of the town. The side characters were also very memorable, and I truly hope this series continues because I’d love to see stories for Norah, Alexa, or Beau.
The spice level is quite low, which was a little disappointing for me. The story builds up expectations a few times—Joel hints at some impressive bedroom skills—but when the moment finally arrives, the scene feels rushed and lacks detail. There are a few kisses throughout, but the real intimacy in the book comes from Joel and Juliette opening up about their trauma and learning to trust and support one another.
I also appreciated how the book touches on heavier topics—grief, losing loved ones, murder, death, PTSD—without ever feeling overwhelmingly heavy. It was handled in a refreshing way.
One small nitpick: the story takes place in the United States, but there were several phrases that felt more UK or Australian. Since the author is Australian, I imagine a few slipped through, but it was occasionally distracting. Another small detail: the plural of “vinyl” is still “vinyl,” which stood out since a music store and records are a big part of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m very grateful to NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to be an early reader of The Dog Park Murders - let’s get into it!
This book is “tail”-ored (see what I did there) to dog parents. Expect romance, mystery, intrigue? You may be disappointed. However, if your furry friend takes center stage in your life, you are likely to enjoy this dog-centric story.
Speaking as a certified dog mom, this book still fell a bit flat. I love a good mystery and had hoped for a more well-rounded whodunit, but the awkward solution was more than underwhelming. For me, the book’s saving grace was the millennial-coded humor - but it ends there.
The book’s challenge is in finding identity. The premise of a mystery romance with dog-loving characters taking center stage seemed like the recipe for a fun, cozy read. However, these elements often feel out of place, likely due to the book’s tone teetering between audiences. Is this a Hallmark movie, a YA novel, or adult fiction? One moment there is the wholesome dialogue and predictability of a Hallmark movie, the next, there is adult language and scenes added almost as an afterthought to make the book edgier.
Without giving anything away, I found the conclusion to be unoriginal with tones of misogyny. I found the theories racing through my mind more compelling than the final explanation. As much as I went into this story hoping to love it, it just didn’t quite land. I can see what the author was going for, but it didn’t fully come together for me.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to be an early reader of The Dog Park Murders - let’s get into it!
This book is “tail”-ored (see what I did there) to dog parents. Expect romance, mystery, intrigue? You may be disappointed. However, if your furry friend takes center stage in your life, you are likely to enjoy this dog-centric story.
Speaking as a certified dog mom, this book still fell a bit flat. I love a good mystery and had hoped for a more well-rounded whodunit, but the awkward solution was more than underwhelming. For me, the book’s saving grace was the millennial-coded humor - but it ends there.
The book’s challenge is in finding identity. The premise of a mystery romance with dog-loving characters taking center stage seemed like the recipe for a fun, cozy read. However, these elements often feel out of place, likely due to the book’s tone teetering between audiences. Is this a Hallmark movie, a YA novel, or adult fiction? One moment there is the wholesome dialogue and predictability of a Hallmark movie, the next, there is adult language and scenes added almost as an afterthought to make the book edgier.
Without giving anything away, I found the conclusion to be unoriginal with tones of misogyny. I found the theories racing through my mind more compelling than the final explanation. As much as I went into this story hoping to love it, it just didn’t quite land. I can see what the author was going for, but it didn’t fully come together for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
EN: I found the setup a bit slow, but starting in the third chapter, the heart of the story really takes off. It’s set in a small community where the main characters, Juliette and Joël, each have a secret, mysterious past that they’re not ready to reveal. The author develops her characters through their attraction to one another despite the mystery surrounding them, all against a backdrop of suspense linked to a murder, feelings of revenge or jealousy (or both). I also felt that the conclusion dragged on a bit at the end, but overall, it’s a good novel that I recommend. It’s an easy read, and the author has the way with words.
FR : J'ai trouvé que l'intrigue mettait un peu de temps à démarrer, mais dès le troisième chapitre, l'histoire prend vraiment son envol. L'action se déroule dans une petite communauté où les personnages principaux, Juliette et Joël, ont chacun un passé secret et mystérieux qu'ils ne sont pas prêts à dévoiler. L'auteure développe ses personnages à travers l'attirance qu'ils éprouvent l'un pour l'autre malgré le mystère qui les entoure, le tout sur fond de suspense lié à un meurtre, à des sentiments de vengeance ou de jalousie (ou les deux). J'ai également trouvé que la conclusion traînait un peu en longueur à la fin, mais dans l'ensemble, c'est un bon roman que je recommande. C'est une lecture facile, et l'auteure a un très beau style d'écriture.
FR : J'ai trouvé que l'intrigue mettait un peu de temps à démarrer, mais dès le troisième chapitre, l'histoire prend vraiment son envol. L'action se déroule dans une petite communauté où les personnages principaux, Juliette et Joël, ont chacun un passé secret et mystérieux qu'ils ne sont pas prêts à dévoiler. L'auteure développe ses personnages à travers l'attirance qu'ils éprouvent l'un pour l'autre malgré le mystère qui les entoure, le tout sur fond de suspense lié à un meurtre, à des sentiments de vengeance ou de jalousie (ou les deux). J'ai également trouvé que la conclusion traînait un peu en longueur à la fin, mais dans l'ensemble, c'est un bon roman que je recommande. C'est une lecture facile, et l'auteure a un très beau style d'écriture.
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March 25, 2026I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Dog Park Murders by Angela Barker. Overall, I would rate it 3.5 stars.
The premise immediately caught my attention. The story centers around a murder connected to a local dog park in a small town where everyone seems to know each other. The setting works really well for a mystery like this. The small-town atmosphere adds tension, secrets, and plenty of potential suspects, which makes the investigation engaging to follow.
One of the highlights for me was the investigation itself. The pacing of the clues and discoveries kept the story moving, and I enjoyed trying to piece together what had really happened. The mystery unfolds in a way that keeps you curious without giving too much away too early.
Another fun element is the large number of dogs in the story. Since so much of the plot revolves around the dog park and the community that gathers there, the presence of the dogs adds charm and personality to many scenes.
At times the pacing felt a little uneven, and some parts could have been tighter, which is why it lands closer to 3.5 stars rather than a full 4. Still, the concept is strong and the investigation is interesting enough to keep you turning the pages.
Overall, this is an enjoyable small-town murder mystery with a unique setting, plenty of canine companions, and a mystery that will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven investigations.
The premise immediately caught my attention. The story centers around a murder connected to a local dog park in a small town where everyone seems to know each other. The setting works really well for a mystery like this. The small-town atmosphere adds tension, secrets, and plenty of potential suspects, which makes the investigation engaging to follow.
One of the highlights for me was the investigation itself. The pacing of the clues and discoveries kept the story moving, and I enjoyed trying to piece together what had really happened. The mystery unfolds in a way that keeps you curious without giving too much away too early.
Another fun element is the large number of dogs in the story. Since so much of the plot revolves around the dog park and the community that gathers there, the presence of the dogs adds charm and personality to many scenes.
At times the pacing felt a little uneven, and some parts could have been tighter, which is why it lands closer to 3.5 stars rather than a full 4. Still, the concept is strong and the investigation is interesting enough to keep you turning the pages.
Overall, this is an enjoyable small-town murder mystery with a unique setting, plenty of canine companions, and a mystery that will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven investigations.
March 14, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley!
The Dog Park Murders is a great blend of murder mystery and romance. I’ll be honest and say that I usually stay away from murder mysteries and thrillers, and while this book is by no means a thriller, it definitely had my heart pounding, in more ways than one.
Juliette is a relatable, likable FMC and her backstory grounds her in reality. The way that she interacts with the townspeople of Labrador Falls as she tries to prove herself is deeply endearing.
Joel’s willingness to trust Juliette despite his traumatic past endears the reader to her further. He’s the grumpy to her sunshine and I loved the concept of him becoming “old, old Joel” by the end of the story.
I found the plot to be engaging and I truly could not put the book down, especially in the back half. The reveal was unexpected to me and the story ended in a satisfying way in both the mystery and the romance.
The setting is somewhat cheesy but in a fun way. The idea of a town called Labrador Falls where all the residents lean so far into their dog loving that it’s a deeply engrained cultural value is really fun to me. In other books, I may have found this to be annoying but I really enjoyed it here.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to romance and mystery readers alike
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley!
The Dog Park Murders is a great blend of murder mystery and romance. I’ll be honest and say that I usually stay away from murder mysteries and thrillers, and while this book is by no means a thriller, it definitely had my heart pounding, in more ways than one.
Juliette is a relatable, likable FMC and her backstory grounds her in reality. The way that she interacts with the townspeople of Labrador Falls as she tries to prove herself is deeply endearing.
Joel’s willingness to trust Juliette despite his traumatic past endears the reader to her further. He’s the grumpy to her sunshine and I loved the concept of him becoming “old, old Joel” by the end of the story.
I found the plot to be engaging and I truly could not put the book down, especially in the back half. The reveal was unexpected to me and the story ended in a satisfying way in both the mystery and the romance.
The setting is somewhat cheesy but in a fun way. The idea of a town called Labrador Falls where all the residents lean so far into their dog loving that it’s a deeply engrained cultural value is really fun to me. In other books, I may have found this to be annoying but I really enjoyed it here.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to romance and mystery readers alike
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC.
I really wanted to love this book. The concept is fun, the writing is whimsical and there is enough plot to keep you engaged.
Unfortunately, I think the style just wasn't for me personally. I'm sure there will be readers who really enjoy this, and it's certainly an easy read so would suit certain moments or needs. But, I found it lacked excitement for me. I liked Juliette and Joel individually and thought their romance was really cute. I can't see I liked many (if any) of the side characters and couldn't understand why Juliette chose to live her entire life in a town where everyone hated her because of her father's crimes. I know she stated it would be running away if she left and that it wouldn't change their opinions, but I really wanted her to move away and leave them to their opinions so she could have a better life. I think that dampened the ending for me a little, because her reward for being cleared of murder was to stay living somewhere a little bit awful?
That being said, I can see why someone else would enjoy this and I think it's just personal taste more than anything else. the concept was brilliant and the plot was still fun.
I really wanted to love this book. The concept is fun, the writing is whimsical and there is enough plot to keep you engaged.
Unfortunately, I think the style just wasn't for me personally. I'm sure there will be readers who really enjoy this, and it's certainly an easy read so would suit certain moments or needs. But, I found it lacked excitement for me. I liked Juliette and Joel individually and thought their romance was really cute. I can't see I liked many (if any) of the side characters and couldn't understand why Juliette chose to live her entire life in a town where everyone hated her because of her father's crimes. I know she stated it would be running away if she left and that it wouldn't change their opinions, but I really wanted her to move away and leave them to their opinions so she could have a better life. I think that dampened the ending for me a little, because her reward for being cleared of murder was to stay living somewhere a little bit awful?
That being said, I can see why someone else would enjoy this and I think it's just personal taste more than anything else. the concept was brilliant and the plot was still fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Dog Park Murders is a pretty fun mystery if you like lighter crime stories. It’s set in a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business, and the main character, Juliette, is a dog groomer who ends up becoming the prime suspect when a guy is found murdered in the local dog park—using one of her dog leashes.
What I liked most is the vibe. It’s not super dark or violent like a lot of crime novels. Instead, it has that cozy mystery feel where you’re following along trying to figure out who did it while dealing with small-town gossip, awkward encounters, and a bunch of dogs running around.
There’s also this dynamic between Juliette and Joel, a café owner who claims he hates dogs. Their back-and-forth adds some humor and a bit of romance while they try to solve the case.
The mystery itself is interesting, though the real appeal is the characters and the small-town setting. If you like stories that mix murder, humor, and a little romance, it’s a pretty enjoyable read.
It’s the kind of book you’d pick up when you want a mystery that’s entertaining, light and cozy rather than intense. A perfect palate cleanser.
I receive a free ARC from Harlequin and NetGalley for my honest review
★★★½
https://pinkstinx.blogspot.com/
What I liked most is the vibe. It’s not super dark or violent like a lot of crime novels. Instead, it has that cozy mystery feel where you’re following along trying to figure out who did it while dealing with small-town gossip, awkward encounters, and a bunch of dogs running around.
There’s also this dynamic between Juliette and Joel, a café owner who claims he hates dogs. Their back-and-forth adds some humor and a bit of romance while they try to solve the case.
The mystery itself is interesting, though the real appeal is the characters and the small-town setting. If you like stories that mix murder, humor, and a little romance, it’s a pretty enjoyable read.
It’s the kind of book you’d pick up when you want a mystery that’s entertaining, light and cozy rather than intense. A perfect palate cleanser.
I receive a free ARC from Harlequin and NetGalley for my honest review
★★★½
https://pinkstinx.blogspot.com/
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Such a delightful surprise! The cozy autumn setting immediately pulled me in, and the town of Labrador felt so warm and lived-in thanks to the wonderfully quirky side characters, they really made the world feel real.
Juliette and Joel were a joy to follow. Their romance unfolded naturally, and what I appreciated most was how their vulnerabilities and past traumas came through gradually and authentically, never forced, never overdone. The humor was a great balance too; it kept things light without undermining the emotional moments. The mystery itself was genuinely engaging, and while the story does start a little slow, it's the kind of slow that pays off, those early conversations end up meaning a lot more than they seem. By the second half I was completely hooked.
A really enjoyable read with more heart than I expected. Highly recommend for fans of cozy mysteries with a romantic twist!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Juliette and Joel were a joy to follow. Their romance unfolded naturally, and what I appreciated most was how their vulnerabilities and past traumas came through gradually and authentically, never forced, never overdone. The humor was a great balance too; it kept things light without undermining the emotional moments. The mystery itself was genuinely engaging, and while the story does start a little slow, it's the kind of slow that pays off, those early conversations end up meaning a lot more than they seem. By the second half I was completely hooked.
A really enjoyable read with more heart than I expected. Highly recommend for fans of cozy mysteries with a romantic twist!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
March 16, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley!! Thank you.
3.5/5
I had such a fun time reading this book! I thought this book was the perfect mix of cheesy, romance, and fun mystery! I think I finished this book in less than 2 days.
Joel was so grumpy and fun, but you can really see his struggles and it made his character very understandable.
I LOVED Juliette. I truly understood her people pleasing tendencies and wanting to be liked by everyone. I love that through out everything she was understanding and didn't let anything get her down.
This is not a heavy hitting emotional book in my opinion, but I do feel like I connected to the characters and still had a fun time.
Other people may see the mystery coming but myself personally, was pretty shocked to be honest. I thought it was a great connection and was really happy with how the mystery was explored and solved!
Overall would definitely read this author again! Such a great book to read!
3.5/5
I had such a fun time reading this book! I thought this book was the perfect mix of cheesy, romance, and fun mystery! I think I finished this book in less than 2 days.
Joel was so grumpy and fun, but you can really see his struggles and it made his character very understandable.
I LOVED Juliette. I truly understood her people pleasing tendencies and wanting to be liked by everyone. I love that through out everything she was understanding and didn't let anything get her down.
This is not a heavy hitting emotional book in my opinion, but I do feel like I connected to the characters and still had a fun time.
Other people may see the mystery coming but myself personally, was pretty shocked to be honest. I thought it was a great connection and was really happy with how the mystery was explored and solved!
Overall would definitely read this author again! Such a great book to read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Dog Park Murders by Angela Barker... umm, what in the adorable “punny” title?! You know I had to read this one! It had so many things I love in a book:
💋 Romance
🤣 Humor (so many puns)
🍁 Fall vibes (including a hearty PLS and Candy Corn debate)
🐶 (Dogs (obviously)
🏘 A cozy little town
🌶 A bit of spice
😁 And so much more!
This book made my heart melt! I felt myself falling in love with the characters and being drawn into the story throughout every twist and turn. There were moments I felt like maybe the whole murder thing should have been more concerning to the characters, but ultimately, I suppose it was not meant to be a scary book, and something about this lack of fear made the story all the more funny in the best way. You MUST add this one to your fall TBR list, but if you are anything like me, you will enjoy a cozy fall book ANY time of the year!
Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC! This one was SO GOOD!
💋 Romance
🤣 Humor (so many puns)
🍁 Fall vibes (including a hearty PLS and Candy Corn debate)
🐶 (Dogs (obviously)
🏘 A cozy little town
🌶 A bit of spice
😁 And so much more!
This book made my heart melt! I felt myself falling in love with the characters and being drawn into the story throughout every twist and turn. There were moments I felt like maybe the whole murder thing should have been more concerning to the characters, but ultimately, I suppose it was not meant to be a scary book, and something about this lack of fear made the story all the more funny in the best way. You MUST add this one to your fall TBR list, but if you are anything like me, you will enjoy a cozy fall book ANY time of the year!
Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC! This one was SO GOOD!
March 17, 2026
Thank you Net Galley for the early read!
Man, this book was pitched to me as a "Pumpkin Spice Cafe v. Murder Mystery" and if this is a venn diagram of book interests, catch me standing right in the middle.
This book was a super fun read, I found myself quite invested in Juliette and Joel`s lives, and secrets....
I will say if you are looking for a literary read that will make you think, this isn`t it. It`s cheesy (self-admitted throughout the book) and fun and quick to read.
I rated this 4 stars, but I rate books on if I had fun reading and this really allowed me to have fun while reading. The back half of the book was impossible to put down. I`m interested to see if this turns into a "Dream Harbor" esque series, as there is a map of the town at the beginning...can`t wait to see where it goes.
Man, this book was pitched to me as a "Pumpkin Spice Cafe v. Murder Mystery" and if this is a venn diagram of book interests, catch me standing right in the middle.
This book was a super fun read, I found myself quite invested in Juliette and Joel`s lives, and secrets....
I will say if you are looking for a literary read that will make you think, this isn`t it. It`s cheesy (self-admitted throughout the book) and fun and quick to read.
I rated this 4 stars, but I rate books on if I had fun reading and this really allowed me to have fun while reading. The back half of the book was impossible to put down. I`m interested to see if this turns into a "Dream Harbor" esque series, as there is a map of the town at the beginning...can`t wait to see where it goes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Dog Park Murder is about very cozy murder mystery with romance sprinkled in there.
Juliette is a dog lover who was a cup half full typer of person, even though the rest of the small town she lives in looks at her with some doubt. Joel is a very closed off, coffee shop owner who doesn’t want to be included in town business.
When Juliette found a deceased body, the whole town looked at her as the criminal. She became determined to prove that she is innocent, with Joel’s help.
This was honestly a pretty decent experience. I really enjoyed Juliette’s character. Despite how the town viewed her as, she was still a very chipper, witty and funny person.
I can understand why Joel was the way he was, but his closed off vibe definitely annoyed me in some points.
I recommend this for someone who wants a funny, quirky, murder mystery with a decent romance sub plot.
Juliette is a dog lover who was a cup half full typer of person, even though the rest of the small town she lives in looks at her with some doubt. Joel is a very closed off, coffee shop owner who doesn’t want to be included in town business.
When Juliette found a deceased body, the whole town looked at her as the criminal. She became determined to prove that she is innocent, with Joel’s help.
This was honestly a pretty decent experience. I really enjoyed Juliette’s character. Despite how the town viewed her as, she was still a very chipper, witty and funny person.
I can understand why Joel was the way he was, but his closed off vibe definitely annoyed me in some points.
I recommend this for someone who wants a funny, quirky, murder mystery with a decent romance sub plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of Advanced Reader Copy recieved from NetGalley
This book claims to be The Pumpkin Spice Cafe meets Only Murders in the Building. Let's get into it..
It took me a while to settle in to the quaint names of everything in this book, a book about a dog groomer who lives in Labrador Falls, works at What the fluff next to Brewed Awakening. Oh wait... There are more... Live love labrador, Stumble Inn. At least about half way through the author hints to the corny nature of the names. Once I got over that i got tucked into this cosy murder mystery.
The mystery of Juliettes family shame, Bonnie's story line and Joel's past life keep you hooked, you have to keep reading to find out what happens.
My favourite quote "Love fiercely, love harder and, most important of all, don't let the fuckers get you down"
This book claims to be The Pumpkin Spice Cafe meets Only Murders in the Building. Let's get into it..
It took me a while to settle in to the quaint names of everything in this book, a book about a dog groomer who lives in Labrador Falls, works at What the fluff next to Brewed Awakening. Oh wait... There are more... Live love labrador, Stumble Inn. At least about half way through the author hints to the corny nature of the names. Once I got over that i got tucked into this cosy murder mystery.
The mystery of Juliettes family shame, Bonnie's story line and Joel's past life keep you hooked, you have to keep reading to find out what happens.
My favourite quote "Love fiercely, love harder and, most important of all, don't let the fuckers get you down"
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️ 5/5 🌶️ 1/5
Third Person POV, single perspective: Juliette
FMC: Juliette, MMC: Joel
Linear timeline
This book exceeded my expectations! I was nervous it was going to be a little corny or too over the top with the dog theme, but that wasn’t the case at all. The suspense was just the right level to keep me turning the page and the chemistry and romance between Juliette and Joel was balanced really well. I just wish that the spicy scenes were just that, spicy. There was a lot of steamy build up and then weak delivery. Lastly, I really appreciated the character growth and the various side characters and the important roles they played. Other than that, I really enjoyed this amateur mystery!
Thank you Harlequin Romance for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Third Person POV, single perspective: Juliette
FMC: Juliette, MMC: Joel
Linear timeline
This book exceeded my expectations! I was nervous it was going to be a little corny or too over the top with the dog theme, but that wasn’t the case at all. The suspense was just the right level to keep me turning the page and the chemistry and romance between Juliette and Joel was balanced really well. I just wish that the spicy scenes were just that, spicy. There was a lot of steamy build up and then weak delivery. Lastly, I really appreciated the character growth and the various side characters and the important roles they played. Other than that, I really enjoyed this amateur mystery!
Thank you Harlequin Romance for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 stars
A very cozy murder mystery crossed with romance.
Typically not the sort of book I would immediately be drawn to but thought I’d give it a go and I’m glad I did! The story starts off a little slow but with good reason which leads perfectly into the later part of the story.
I do love a murder mystery and I am the sort of person who loves to have it figured out before the “big reveal” and had managed to figure it out pretty early on into the investigation side however I don’t feel it was overly obvious as to who the murderer is.
The romance aspect is set at a nice pace and builds throughout the story.
Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
A very cozy murder mystery crossed with romance.
Typically not the sort of book I would immediately be drawn to but thought I’d give it a go and I’m glad I did! The story starts off a little slow but with good reason which leads perfectly into the later part of the story.
I do love a murder mystery and I am the sort of person who loves to have it figured out before the “big reveal” and had managed to figure it out pretty early on into the investigation side however I don’t feel it was overly obvious as to who the murderer is.
The romance aspect is set at a nice pace and builds throughout the story.
Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Dog Park Murders by Angela Barker is a cozy crime mystery that was a really enjoyable read for me. Cozy crime is one of my all time favourite genres because it’s easy to get into and gives you that sense of mystery when you’re looking for something quick but still engaging. This one pretty much hit the mark in terms of atmosphere and overall vibe.
The characters were definitely a highlight. They were quirky and fun to follow, and I especially liked the grumpy x sunshine dynamic with a bit of a slow burn mixed in. It added that extra layer to the story that kept me invested beyond just the mystery itself.
That said, the mystery element didn’t fully land for me in the end. The way everything came together felt a little bit underwhelming, which was a shame because the build up had me expecting something a bit more impactful.
Overall, still a solid cozy mystery that I enjoyed, especially for the characters and the easy, comforting feel of the genre.
The characters were definitely a highlight. They were quirky and fun to follow, and I especially liked the grumpy x sunshine dynamic with a bit of a slow burn mixed in. It added that extra layer to the story that kept me invested beyond just the mystery itself.
That said, the mystery element didn’t fully land for me in the end. The way everything came together felt a little bit underwhelming, which was a shame because the build up had me expecting something a bit more impactful.
Overall, still a solid cozy mystery that I enjoyed, especially for the characters and the easy, comforting feel of the genre.
March 18, 2026
Fun, cute, heartwarming, gentle, emotional and sweet.
Juliette was a Disney princess type of girl. Living in her hometown with her twin sister. She works at what the fluff dog groomers where she has just become a partner in the business. She fosters dogs. She had her eye on Joel new to town and moody. He runs the coffee shop she works next to.
She fancies him rotten. When she finds a dead body on one of her dog walks with Digger her foster dog she becomes the prime suspect and she enlists a begrudgingly despondent Joel to help her.
This is a good book. The scenery and character development is great. The female friendships are the best.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Juliette was a Disney princess type of girl. Living in her hometown with her twin sister. She works at what the fluff dog groomers where she has just become a partner in the business. She fosters dogs. She had her eye on Joel new to town and moody. He runs the coffee shop she works next to.
She fancies him rotten. When she finds a dead body on one of her dog walks with Digger her foster dog she becomes the prime suspect and she enlists a begrudgingly despondent Joel to help her.
This is a good book. The scenery and character development is great. The female friendships are the best.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Read as an ARC from NetGalley, to be published 25th August 2026
Guys I don’t think you understand the way I DEVOURED this book. I’m obsessed with it. The most cosy fun murder mystery/romance I have ever read. The characters were well thought out with intricate backstories that were woven in perfectly. THE PLACE NAMES HAD ME HOOKED FROM THE JUMP. The prologue was EXACTLY what a prologue should be.
I can’t find any flaws, I love, love, loved it. The plot points, who the murder actually was, the way it was revealed… I couldn’t put it down. I want my friend to read it so badly I might just give up my kindle for a day (and that’s saying something).
This was everything I wished it would be. I need MORE.
Guys I don’t think you understand the way I DEVOURED this book. I’m obsessed with it. The most cosy fun murder mystery/romance I have ever read. The characters were well thought out with intricate backstories that were woven in perfectly. THE PLACE NAMES HAD ME HOOKED FROM THE JUMP. The prologue was EXACTLY what a prologue should be.
I can’t find any flaws, I love, love, loved it. The plot points, who the murder actually was, the way it was revealed… I couldn’t put it down. I want my friend to read it so badly I might just give up my kindle for a day (and that’s saying something).
This was everything I wished it would be. I need MORE.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Advanced copy received from NetGalley
Overall, this book was a cute, easy read. While at times it was overly corny (such as with the names of the shops in the town), the book was overall decent and kept me entertained enough to finish it quickly.
While I did enjoy the plot, the fact that the book was more surface-level kept me from really connecting with any of the characters. Even when certain characters died, I didn’t feel particularly sad about it. Both the mystery and romance aspects would have benefitted from additional depth in the characters’ development.
If you’re looking for a quick, cozy mystery with a little romance, this book is for you. If you’re looking to truly feel something, I would probably look elsewhere.
Overall, this book was a cute, easy read. While at times it was overly corny (such as with the names of the shops in the town), the book was overall decent and kept me entertained enough to finish it quickly.
While I did enjoy the plot, the fact that the book was more surface-level kept me from really connecting with any of the characters. Even when certain characters died, I didn’t feel particularly sad about it. Both the mystery and romance aspects would have benefitted from additional depth in the characters’ development.
If you’re looking for a quick, cozy mystery with a little romance, this book is for you. If you’re looking to truly feel something, I would probably look elsewhere.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a cute and cozy small-town mystery! I was drawn to this due to the dogs, a coffee shop with a grumpy owner, and murder. Having a dog and spending many days in a dog park trying to burn her energy, I understand how this can be a good setting for a book. I have encountered some strange things in dog park culture.
If you need a palate cleanser read that doesn't take itself too seriously, this is for you! It was a nice break from reality and a fun story that connected a foster dog to a good home. I feel that is something to celebrate. Cheers to the snuggles, canine and human, and a positive outcome for all involved (except for those that were murdered!)
Thank you to NetGalley, Angela Barker, and HarperCollins Publishers for the Advance Reader's Copy!
If you need a palate cleanser read that doesn't take itself too seriously, this is for you! It was a nice break from reality and a fun story that connected a foster dog to a good home. I feel that is something to celebrate. Cheers to the snuggles, canine and human, and a positive outcome for all involved (except for those that were murdered!)
Thank you to NetGalley, Angela Barker, and HarperCollins Publishers for the Advance Reader's Copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First of all I definitely feel honored being able to read this book before it gets released on Aug. 25, 2026. Joel broodiness and stubborn nature of not wanting to get close to people but failing miserably as he gets accustomed to this new city and a girl who won’t give up on knowing him. Juliette who is the girl who won’t give up. She is proving my point when a murder happens and she so happens to stumble across it. She is going above and beyond trying to figure out who murder the victim while also getting close to Joel. Everything was kept light and enjoyable during this mystery ride.
Thank you NetGalley and Angela Barker for being able to read this arc!
Thank you NetGalley and Angela Barker for being able to read this arc!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What the fluff this book was so good!
A cozy mystery with a little thriller edge and the best grumpy x sunshine vibe. The cliché character names had me howling with laughter, and the inner dog voices made the story even more fun and unique.
The characters were incredibly enjoyable, and I loved how by the end they both learned from each other and grew in their own ways. It added a really nice layer to the story.
The characters were incredibly enjoyable, and the whole story had such a cozy, entertaining feel. If you’re into mysteries with a hint of thriller but mostly cozy vibes, this is definitely the book for you!
A cozy mystery with a little thriller edge and the best grumpy x sunshine vibe. The cliché character names had me howling with laughter, and the inner dog voices made the story even more fun and unique.
The characters were incredibly enjoyable, and I loved how by the end they both learned from each other and grew in their own ways. It added a really nice layer to the story.
The characters were incredibly enjoyable, and the whole story had such a cozy, entertaining feel. If you’re into mysteries with a hint of thriller but mostly cozy vibes, this is definitely the book for you!
March 16, 2026
A slow-burn, small-town romance with a murder mystery twist.
This one started off pretty slowly for me, though it did get more interesting by the end. I just wish it didn’t take so long for the story to pick up.
I thought the premise of a grumpy/sunshine cozy mystery romance sounded really fun, but I didn’t find it all that cozy. I was also hoping for more romance and less focus on the dogs. Yes, it’s set in Labrador Falls and the main character is a dog groomer, but I didn’t need the title taken quite that literally.
Overall, this was an okay read for me. While the ending was stronger than the beginning, I was hoping the romance would play a more central role in the story.
This one started off pretty slowly for me, though it did get more interesting by the end. I just wish it didn’t take so long for the story to pick up.
I thought the premise of a grumpy/sunshine cozy mystery romance sounded really fun, but I didn’t find it all that cozy. I was also hoping for more romance and less focus on the dogs. Yes, it’s set in Labrador Falls and the main character is a dog groomer, but I didn’t need the title taken quite that literally.
Overall, this was an okay read for me. While the ending was stronger than the beginning, I was hoping the romance would play a more central role in the story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm very grateful NetGalley and HarperCollins providing the book.
“Juliette Macintyre has never met a dog she didn’t love. For one thing, dogs don’t judge, unlike the human residents of Labrador Falls. Most locals look at her with suspicion because her father was once a dirty cop, even though Juliette is upbeat, helpful, and the best pet groomer around.”(Book descripton)
Reading time:3h16min.Star rating: 3.2/3.4 Style:
Slow burn cozy mystery/romance
I liked the book. A slow burn cozy mystery with a touch of romance. Juliette and Joel.❤️
I liked Juliette's personal growth,it's good that she found the confidence to be herself.
The plot twist was a little rushed.
#TheDogParkMurders #NetGalley
“Juliette Macintyre has never met a dog she didn’t love. For one thing, dogs don’t judge, unlike the human residents of Labrador Falls. Most locals look at her with suspicion because her father was once a dirty cop, even though Juliette is upbeat, helpful, and the best pet groomer around.”(Book descripton)
Reading time:3h16min.Star rating: 3.2/3.4 Style:
Slow burn cozy mystery/romance
I liked the book. A slow burn cozy mystery with a touch of romance. Juliette and Joel.❤️
I liked Juliette's personal growth,it's good that she found the confidence to be herself.
The plot twist was a little rushed.
#TheDogParkMurders #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found The Dog Park Murders by Angela Barker to be a fun and cosy mystery, and this was my first time reading this author. The small town setting, lovable dogs, and light humour balanced nicely with the murder mystery, making it an easy and entertaining read.
I really enjoyed the mix of small town secrets, amateur sleuthing, grumpy sunshine dynamic, found family, and slow burn chemistry, and the dog park setting gave the story a warm, quirky charm even with the darker plot underneath.
This will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie style cosy mysteries and books like The Thursday Murder Club, with its community drama, humour, and twisty but gentle mystery
I really enjoyed the mix of small town secrets, amateur sleuthing, grumpy sunshine dynamic, found family, and slow burn chemistry, and the dog park setting gave the story a warm, quirky charm even with the darker plot underneath.
This will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie style cosy mysteries and books like The Thursday Murder Club, with its community drama, humour, and twisty but gentle mystery
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