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Freckles

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Carter Embree has always hoped to be rescued from his productive, tragically boring, and (slightly) ethically compromised life. But when an urchin at a grocery store shoves a bundle of fluff into his hands, Carter goes from rescuee to rescuer—and he needs a little help.

Sandy Corrigan, the vet tech who helps ease Carter into the world of dog ownership, first assumes that Carter is a crazy-pants client who just needs to relax. But as Sandy gets a glimpse into the funny, kind, sexy man under Carter’s mild-mannered exterior, he sees that with a little care and feeding, Carter might be Super-Pet Owner—and decent boyfriend material to boot.

But Carter needs to see himself as a hero first. As he says good-bye to his pristine house and hello to carpet treatments and dog walkers, he finds that there really is more to himself than a researching drudge without a backbone. A Carter Embree can rate a Sandy Corrigan. He can be supportive, he can be a hero, he can be a man who stands up for his principles!

He can be the owner of a small dog.

5 pages, Audible Audio

First published November 14, 2016

35 people are currently reading
448 people want to read

About the author

Amy Lane

203 books3,487 followers
Amy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
Profile Image for ~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~.
3,573 reviews1,113 followers
October 14, 2016
~3.5~

Amy Lane writes edible Christmas stories, stories that make me, an agnostic Jew, all giddy and happy.

My all time favorite is:

Christmas Kitsch by Amy Lane

But there are others that left me with a huge grin on my face and joy in my heart. Or whatever. You know what I mean.

I'm also a devoted dog parent. I have three dogs (large, medium, and small). I j'adore my dogs (ALL dogs). Seriously, I'm the kind of person who makes photo collages of my three fur babies and then casually shows them off in the middle of a business lunch cause that's not awkward AT ALL.



What I'm getting at is that this book was written for me. Or it should have been written for me. I mean, there's a PUPPY. And there's a goofy vet tech and a kind but too serious lawyer, and kisses and lots and lots of sweetness.



But this story is missing that OOOMPH. It just didn't make me feel all glowy inside.

The way the MCs meet is just so . . . prosaic. Carter brings Freckles into the vet clinic where Sandy works, and Sandy is sort of enamored with this guy in a suit who buys a pink dog bed and a matching sweater.

Sandy pursues Carter, and Carter is so fucking grateful, it hurts. They have a couple dates; they bond over Freckles. And then Carter is turning his entire life upside down because he HATES his job but LOVES his dog.



Carter wants to be the good guy, the guy who rights wrongs, the guy who helps people instead of padding the pockets of a greedy corporate firm managed by an enormous bag of dicks. Carter's boss spits on holiday decorations! He's a meanie and a lunatic.

Carter tries, but he has much to learn about being a dog daddy. I'm not the biggest fan of crates, but it's preferable to letting your dog pee and shit all over your flat. I cringed every time Carter mentioned Freckles' antics. It wasn't funny; it was just annoying. Because dogs need structure and actual training. And, no, it's not the dog's fault; it's YOURS.

The steam is but a glimmer; if you blink, you'll miss it. But the ending is a HEA. Maybe. It felt kind of tentative to me. I wanted one more chapter.

The best news is that Riptide is donating 20 percent of the proceeds from the sale of this book to The Trevor Project. And THAT'S worth celebrating.

So while I didn't LOVE this book, I liked it well enough. It's EASY and readable and fluffy, just so damn fluffy.

Rounded up to 4 stars because FRECKLES and charity.
Profile Image for ☆ Todd.
1,441 reviews1,584 followers
October 17, 2016

This one was all sweet adorability, wrapped up in all things puppy.



Carter is a 33 year old attorney, whose boss loves to push the boundaries of what's legal, while unconcerned about what's actually ethical. So Carter, being a nice guy, isn't happy with his job.



Sandy is a 33 year old vet tech, working toward becoming a veterinarian at night. He has a full, mostly-happy life, but wishes he had someone to share it with.



Then a kid at the grocery store quite literally thrusts a flea-bitten puppy in Carter's arms and speeds off. Carter has no idea how to take care of a dog, so he takes it to see the vet at PetSmart and our adventure begins.

Sandy initially thinks that Carter is crazy, but quickly warms to him, when he sees how much he's beginning to care about the puppy, Freckles. Then Sandy pursues Carter. Pretty darn hard.

The main part of the story is just the slow, steady dance of feelings between Carter and Sandy developing. And lots of page time dealing with the little eating and pooping machine that Carter inherited.



The story is cute and laidback as it unfolds, without tons of drama for the sake of drama. However, this one did feel a bit low on the conflict side for my tastes.

Also, when Carter does finally grow a backbone at work, the details are actually off-page. I was sad that I didn't get to witness that first-hand, because I just love a good 'telling off the bad guy' moment.



The sexy times were kept to a minimum, but we did get plenty of cuddly, non-sexy scenes to solidify the romantic feel here.



The story does end with an HEA, which these two nice guys definitely deserved, so I'd rate this one at around 3.5 stars.

------------------------------------------------

My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
Profile Image for Gigi.
2,148 reviews1,069 followers
October 13, 2016
This book is one of the stories in Riptide Publishing's annual charity bundle. From their website:

Each year, Riptide Publishing releases a holiday collection in support of an LGBTQ charity.

Twenty percent of the proceeds of this title will be donated to The Trevor Project.

Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visit their website: thetrevorproject.org.

This collection would not be possible without the talent and generosity of its authors, who have brought us the following holiday stories:

Freckles by Amy Lane
Frostbitten by Charlotte Stein
Glass Tidings by Amy Jo Cousins

Pre-ordering this collection will allow you to download each story two days prior to its official release date, as well as save almost 25% off the list price of the individual books.


This is the story of buttoned-up Carter, a lawyer who hates his job and was recently dumped by his live-in boyfriend of 3 months. He finds himself in the position of having a small puppy thrust into his hands and before he can say, "No! I can't have a puppy!" the puppy's owner takes off, leaving a clueless Carter with a 2 pound bundle of joy he names Freckles.

Freckles is a Chihuahua/Shih Tzu cross, commonly referred to as a SciChi. Here are some photos of SciChis and a good idea of what Freckles might look like.





In his quest for help with his new pet, Carter visits his local PetSmart and meets carefree spirit Sandy. Sandy is back in school at age 33 to become a veterinarian and is working as a vet tech on the side to pay the bills.

Carter and Sandy meet, bond over lovable Freckles, and start a slow-burn romance.

This book is completely angst free and made of sugar and spice and everything nice. This is a book for dog lovers who need a dog fix in the form of a M/M romance on a crappy day. It will set your mood to right and leave you with a goofy grin on your face.

Puppy/Romance/Charity is a WIN in my book. Recommended.



Galley copy of Freckles provided by the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews



Profile Image for Madison Warner Fairbanks.
3,396 reviews495 followers
December 17, 2023
Freckles by Amy Lane
Contemporary M-M romance.
Carter Embree leads a boring life in his own opinion, until he finds himself a new pet owner of a small dog. He needs to say goodbye to a pristine house and hello to carpet treatments, and a dog walker. Carter’s new phrase repeats in his head - “it’s not the dog’s fault”. Sandy Corrigan is the vet tech that Carter first met and helped name the dog. Freckles is young and Sandy is willing to help Carter with Freckles. And maybe anything else he might need.

A darling story of a small dog, a man learning he can be better and a vet tech that wants to be part of their lives. Carter is adamantly opposed to crate training because of his own past. I’m not sure it can be considered the same thing, but it doesn’t matter to Carter, even though he has a lot of cleaning to do because of his decision. The pink dog bed put on the bed so the dog could be close at night was kind of adorable.
Profile Image for Diana.
638 reviews18 followers
November 15, 2016
3.5 “ Mr. Fancy Pants Stars”

Freckles is a quick, easy read that will give you the warm and fuzzies, just in time for the holidays.

Carter Embree is just an average guy, working at a job he loathes. He absolutely can understand why his boyfriend of 3 months left and note and cleared out. But that is his life, and he doesn’t see an opportunity to change it. That is until a boys practically throws a dog at him and runs away. What the hell is he going to do with a bundle of fluff?

Sandy Corrigan is working as a vet. tech. while studying to become a veterinarian, when Mr. Crazy Pants comes in freaking out over a dog. He takes pity on Carter and tries to help him navigate the life of a dog owner. Soon enough, he realizes that Carter really isn’t Mr. Fancy Pants, but is genuine and kind. Maybe just maybe, someone who Sandy would like to know better.

Both characters were struggling with insecurities from their previous relationships and neither of them thought they were good enough for the other. Sometimes, when you find the right person, a little support and encouragement can go a long way.

This was a very cute story that I recommend if you are looking for something short and sweet. Maybe a little too short because I was wanting more.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review<./i>
Profile Image for Eli Easton.
Author 83 books2,805 followers
November 29, 2016
I loved this. There were so many cute lines along the way that had me smile or laugh out loud. I adore Amy Lane books when she's being cute and fluffy, and this book was no exception. Plus, I love dogs. The itty bitty Freckles was too stinking cute. Great way to start my holiday book glut fest.
Profile Image for Renée.
1,172 reviews412 followers
October 15, 2016
~3.5 stars~

This story is a dog lover's dream. A lot of page time is spent on the experiences of a brand new dog owner and the chaos that ensues with it, especially a puppy.

It's at the vet's office where new-doggy-daddy Carter meets vet tech Sandy. Carter is shy and sweet, and completely miserable with where he's at in life. Sandy sees something interesting pretty immediately in the new dog owner.

This one was short and sugary sweet. Carter is vulnerable, doesn't have the best self-esteem, and has a nightmare of a boss. Sandy wasn't quite as fleshed out as Carter was, but I liked what I learned about him.

This is a no angst holiday treat. If you're a fan of Lane and her angst-free stories, this one is for you.

Profile Image for Gustaf.
1,444 reviews192 followers
August 21, 2023
I’m a sucker for cute, holiday books. And dogs. This was perfection.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,860 reviews91 followers
November 14, 2016
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because still no 1/2 stars here on GR and PUPPIES!!!!!

Carter Embree is a lawyer stuck in a dead-end job that he hates...well, he doesn't actually hate the job, just who he works for. Carter's a lawyer with a conscience and with each day he's becoming more and more unhappy with what he sees.

Sandy Corrigan's a vet tech who wants to a vet so at 33 years old he's working full time and going to school.

These two men's lives collide when Carter ends up the unexpected owner of a puppy that he's told is a Chow/Samoyed mix so imagine his surprise when he find out that his Chow/Samoyed dog is in fact a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua mix...little bit of a size discrepancy there...lol!

I really enjoyed this story it was just a light, cute read. I loved Freckles he was a cute, little thing full of personality and as a small dog owner I was really able to relate to a lot of Freckles behavior and I'm going to add here as the owner of a small breed dog crates are not a bad thing. Dogs are denning animals and crates aren't a bad or evil thing but it does have to be right for both dog and owner. So while I can appreciate Carter's thoughts on crating because until the dog I have now I pretty much shared his sentiments I've also come to see that crating your dog is not a bad thing for some dogs it means feeling safe and secure when they have to be left alone or while they sleep.

I liked Carter with all his insecurities and quiet demeanor. Carter was also a reflection of the adage 'money can't buy you happiness'. He'd been raised in a home where money wasn't a issue, the best schools, successful parents. But what Carter really wanted was someone to share his life with someone whom he could believe in and who believed in him.

Sandy was in many ways Carter's opposite. He'd grown up with a sister and a single mom. Things like money for college and nice homes weren't a possibility in Sandy's world. But Sandy wasn't one to let things like this get him down. He was confident and upbeat. He knew what he wanted and when he saw it he went for it. So when Sandy decided that there was more to Mr. Crazypants than meets the eye it was only a matter of time.

'Freckles' was a fun, sweet story of a romance that started because one man gave his heart to a cute, little puppy. I loved the slow build between Carter and Sandy and watching Carter figure out where his life was going both personally and professionally. This was a feel good story with little to no angst and lots of feelz to make you smile and a happily ever after that will keep you smiling.

So if cute puppies and warm fuzzy stories that make you feel good aren't enough to make you want this book then maybe the fact that 20% of the proceeds from this book will be donated to the Trevor Project give you that extra little push in the right direction.

*******************
An ARC of 'Freckles' was graciously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ami.
6,238 reviews489 followers
November 17, 2016
2.75 stars rounded up

Full disclosure -- Amy Lane is an "old-timer author" whose works I read a lot during my first years of reading M/M. However, I have fallen out of love with her for the past several years. I guess I just find others more interesting. Having said that, the cover was too difficult for me to resist. Plus, after DNF'ing a couple of books in a row and not having spectacular reads for almost two weeks, I was hoping this would be a fluffy, light, happy, entertaining holiday read.

Unfortunately it didn't fully delivered. I already felt put off with the fact that Carter had his ex-boyfriend moved in when they only had been dating for three months, and now it seemed that it was going to be a repeat with Sandy?

Then the relationship with Sandy lacked punch and pizzazz for me ... Carter, on page at least, came as rather bland. So what did Sandy see from him in the beginning? And was Carter accepting Sandy's pursuing him because 1) he was still reeling over Greg leaving him or 2) Sandy was the first person showed interest towards him after Greg leaving? Whatever it was, I wasn't sold with the relationship, and I didn't find it interesting. It came to the point where I wish there were more scenes with the dog.

I guess the story is not as sparkly as the cover for me. I rounded it up for the dog though, because you know, Freckles was precious.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for * A Reader Obsessed *.
2,686 reviews576 followers
June 9, 2017
Complete and utter fluff sure to win big bonus points for all animal lovers.

This is the story of the too cute dog, Freckles, and how she makes big waves despite her teeny tiny size.

Her owner, Carter, realizes there’s more than just the job, and slowly comes to life in all things.

Her vet tech Sandy, finds in Carter someone worthy to actually have that happy ending with.

Lots of sweetness in both human and animal form, as Freckles brings Carter and Sandy together through her huge powers of adorable charm. A great start to kick off the holidays.
Profile Image for Josy.
992 reviews3 followers
January 23, 2018
Re-read - audiobook

~ 4.5 stars ~

Much better the second time around.
Nick J. Russo once again did an awesome job with the narration.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lots of thanks to my mysterious gifter from the Secret Santa gift exchange!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ 3.5 stars ~

This was a light, fluffy, and sweet Christmas story about two cute MCs in their early thirties and a two-pound furball aka Freckles.

I was missing the kick in the feelings, though. It's an okay, no-angst, feel-good story with lots of cuddles and kisses but it didn't reach me like I would have liked. The steam was only hinted at and the scene where Carter stood up for himself and told his douchebag of a boss what an ass he is, is off-page.

It was a light read but I have to admit I was scratching my head at a few sentences. For one, sometimes the writing was trying to be too... poetic? I don't know if that's the right word but here's an example:
"Every rasp of palm or finger flared in the quiet haven of the bedroom, then expanded, grew fire-bright in the theater behind Sandy's eyes." or "And then all consciousness was lost as his ass became the epicenter of the cataclysm that cracked the world."

Other times I just couldn't follow the thoughts the author put into words: "He'd known it. He'd had a feeling mild-mannered Mr. Crazy-pants Kent was a secret sex machine; he'd seen it in the man's choice of dog bed!" Guess I need to be careful when I next buy a new bed for my dog ;)

However, I was in need of cute and fluffy so this worked for me just fine and I enjoyed this easy read!

Thanks again to my mysterious Santa / elf for this gift and for putting a huge smile on my face!!
Profile Image for Sheri.
1,418 reviews196 followers
March 22, 2019
Cute, cute and...cute.
But that's about all I can say.
Maybe I needed the holiday season to feel it? Because for some reason...I just didn't.
I liked both of the guys okay.
I adored Freckles.
But I never got the connection with their windswept romance.
Nope. Too much too fast and I was left behind.
Profile Image for Susan.
2,349 reviews456 followers
November 12, 2019
3.5 stars

Super cute story.

Freckles was the star of the story, and I loved how awkward Carter totally fell in love with the little dog. This was a such a nice feel good story, perfect for this time of year.

It was cute, sweet, and fluffy.

description
Profile Image for Meags.
2,475 reviews697 followers
December 11, 2016
3 Stars

This is a sweet and often quirky little read, one that is perfect for providing happy book vibes this holiday season.

Dog lovers the world over will definitely rejoice over this one. Gorgeous little Freckles is a scene-stealer, for sure. And let’s all take a moment to collectively overdose on the adorableness that is this book cover!
Profile Image for Saimi Vasquez.
1,951 reviews94 followers
November 20, 2022
Carter siempre ha vivido en cajas, fisica y metaforicamente, siempre ha hecho lo que se esperaba de el, incluso graduarse como abogado (como sus padres querian), trabajar en una firma que odia (porque tiene seguro), y asi ha estado medio-viviendo solo. Pero cuando una noche al regresar del trabajo le regalan un cachorro, su vida cambiara por completo. Carter comenzara a entender lo que es realmente ser querido por alguien que no espera nada a cambio, y amarlo con tanta fuerza que se le puede perdonar todo. Eso inicia un cambio en su vida, primero su cachorro Freckles, despues el tecnico veterinario Sandy, y al final la forma como su trabajo daña su vida. Asi que al final su vida dara un vuelco total, y todo por el amor de un cachorro llamado Freckles.

Es una historia linda, romantica, con un poco de drama, que resulta totalmente conmovedora. Te hace pensar en tu vida y como las oportunidades pueden estar al alcance de tu mano, si solo te atreves a dar el salto y tienes personas a tu lado que te apoyan. Al estar enfocada en la epoca de las fiestas, vemos mucho de la familia de ambos protas, y nos enamoramos de Alexis y Brenda, pero realmente la lectura hace que ames al cachorro, y que quieras abrazar a tu mascota y consentirla lo mas posible.
En fin, es una bonita y dulce historia navideña de superacion y aceptacion que es perfecta para esta epoca. Es un autor que no conocia, pero que ahora estoy segura que voy a volver a leer.
Profile Image for Ariana  (mostly offline).
1,680 reviews96 followers
February 10, 2017
This had me smiling, grinning and chuckling all the way through.
I'm one of those 'dog people' who just go a bit daft when they see a dog.
This is a book revolving around a dog. A tiny little Shih Tzu mixture. And a big tall guy totally falling apart over it. What is not to love? (And even if you're a cat person - this is one you should try!)





Carter is a lawyer who hates his job because his boss is a douchebag. But he has been brought up by a career-orientated mum, who sort of brain-washed him into believing that a job is a job and that sticking it out and having a career is what you should live for. Not that she doesn't love him, in her way, but imo her view of what's important in life is seriously warped.

Carter has lived his life accordingly, but at 33 he is lonely and unfulfilled. When a young kid leaves him stranded with a puppy (that scene was really cute and funny) he takes one look at the tiny fluffball in his hands - and falls deeply for it. And yes, this was an *Ahhhh* moment!

Caring for another creature when he can't even looking after plants throws Carter out of his usual routine, and panic ensues at times. Thank God he can fall back on Sandy, the vet tech, who has taken one look at Carter and likes what he sees. And we're not talking about outer credentials here. Carter is a really kind and caring man, a decent person who wants to do good. A quiet guy who can turn into a "sex machine" when properly encouraged! *G*

I liked Carter and Sandy's dates. They're cute and fluffy and realistic. No insta-love here. And I thoroughly enjoyed all the mishaps with little Freckles. Yes, this is what it's like to have a puppy when you have no idea. I speak from experience here.

A cute love-story, some decent character development and a couple of excellent secondary characters put this firmly onto my list of 'most favourite Christmas stories' this year. It really put a huge smile on my face!





Profile Image for Eugenia.
1,897 reviews320 followers
February 16, 2020
Ugh. This one was painful for me.

It relied on stereotypes to create cardboard secondary characters.

I felt no chemistry between the MCs and didn’t care much for them

The dog was OK aside from an inordinate amount of poo talk.
Profile Image for namericanwordcat.
2,440 reviews439 followers
July 18, 2017
3.5 Stars

Pour Some Sugar On Me! I love a low angst sweet romance. And we get a puppy.

We have not man whore heroes who are both grown men. One of our heroes is a Plain Joe type which I love.

We have courting and flirting. Its sexy and kind with great side characters. I love the vet clinic and pet store. I love the finding a way to a better life theme.

Oh, my queendom for the exact book that the workers in the Pet Store might be the heroes of.... lol
Profile Image for BWT.
2,250 reviews245 followers
February 10, 2019
So cute!

Freckles is a really cute, relatable, romance between two 33 year old guys who bring out the best in one another. Dual POV, low angst, new beginnings, and a HEA.

Nick J. Russo really nails the character voices and personalities, his timing and pacing are great, and he makes this a very pleasurable listen. Would recommend.
Profile Image for Aerin.
594 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2016
If you ever doubted the fact that Amy Lane can write pure fluff, then Freckles is your proof and you have to read it just to convince yourself. This book is full of fluffy feeling, doggy kisses, and heartfelt puppy love! It should be perfect, right? It wasn't, but I still liked this book for the lack of drama and for Freckles.

Carter is an attorney in his early 30's who loves his job but hates his place of employment and his ethically impaired boss. His boring and workaholic life is suddenly turned upside down when a flea-infested fluff ball is thrown in his arms. Carter has never imagined raising a puppy and he has basically no knowledge about it, but Freckles is exactly what he needed. A trip to the local vet clinic gives Carter some peace of mind and puts Sandy in Carter's path.

Sandy is a 33 years old vet tech who's going to college to become a veterinarian. Sandy is mostly happy and has a great family, but he yearns for someone to love and share his life with. Sandy's first impressions of Carter is that he's a bit of a nut, but Carter's obvious worry and love for Freckles makes Sandy see him in a different light.

And here starts the cute story of raising a puppy when you have no clue what you're doing. I love dogs and I'm a proud dog parent myself, but Freckles's habit of pooping and peeing everywhere kinda cast a shadow on the slow developing feelings between Carter and Sandy. The whole story is so drama free, cute, and tame, that I expected Carter and Sandy to burn the sheets... this girl right here needs some excitement in her books. While there were plenty of moments full of feels and cuddles, the steamy scenes barely made an appearance. I guess I prefer Amy Lane's angsty books, the ones that rip my heart out and put baseball-sized lumps in my throat. I like books that make me FEEL and the only thing his book made me feel is cuteness overload.

The ending is a tentative HEA which was definitely sweet and our guys deserved it. Freckles is a super-cute holiday read and I definitely recommend it to those who are not fans of Amy Lane's special brand of angst.
Profile Image for Sophia.
Author 5 books399 followers
December 9, 2017
Cute, fun, and light-hearted holiday romance! Whether one loves animals or not, this is cute, but being an animal lover, made it more poignant and funny. Amy Lane tells this sort of story so well. I was glad to get a chance to re-experience Freckles in audio format where even more nuances to the story came out under the narrator's care.

A fastidious, organized workaholic lawyer is out of his depth the second a kid cons him into the tiny white fluff ball in his hands. This is a dog?
In blind terror, he races to the veterinary office attached to the local Pet Smart because his new white fluff ball has, erm, fleas.
Carter can't even keep a boyfriend happy or a plant alive. What is he going to do with a sweet little innocent thing like this, well whatever she is.

Sandy Corrigan is the vet tech on duty when the crazy guy comes in babbling and incoherent, but oh so sweet with his little dog. Seeing the average-looking guy settle into new pet ownership and love on his little Freckles attracts Sandy to up his game and go for this guy.

Carter is a contract lawyer and working for a boss who is amoral at best and many times crosses the lines. His soul is starving in his lackless existence until Freckles. While dealing with a puppy, he now has Sandy, the great guy who is in his thirties and still in school to be a vet, Sandy's perky and fun niece who is Freckle's dogwalker, and a chance to step out of his rut.

As Christmas approaches, will both these guys who have been burned by relationships be able to reach out for something special? Can Sandy stay interested in an average guy? Carter wonders. And Sandy wonders if Carter will soon figure out that he is way out of slow-plodding Sandy's league. Only Freckles might know the answer to that.

Long favorite narrator, Nick J. Russo adds just the right amount of sparkle and shine to this heartwarming and sweet Christmas story. He captured the tone and these characters so well. I could see and feel what was going on as if I was right there witnessing it all happening.

Freckles was a light and adorable holiday story. Average joes with average lives that it was great to see them find their chance at happiness. Definitely recommend it to M/M Contemporary Romance fans who want a bit of spice, but an easy afternoon heartwarming read.

My thanks to Riptide Publishing for the opportunity to listen this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Adam.
611 reviews374 followers
December 9, 2016
This is a book written by a dog lover for dog lovers. ‘Freckles’ is the name of Carter’s new dog, a tiny bundle of joy that excels at leaving poop bombs around the house. I’m not a dog owner myself, but I do go gaga whenever I get the chance to pet a pup.

So while I zoned out during the puppy training 101, which takes up a good chunk of the book, I could still appreciate the cute antics of Freckles.

description

The romance plays second fiddle for the first half of the book. Carter and Sandy like each other from the moment they meet, but both have a lot going on in their lives. Sandy is juggling a job and vet school, while Carter is married to his soul-sucking job.

When they do eventually give in to the feelings growing between them, it’s exactly the sweet yet heartfelt romance I’d expect for a holiday story from Amy Lane. There’s no unnecessary drama or contrived angst here. Sandy and Carter like each other, and they’re willing to give it an honest try.

The two go on cute dinner dates that end in sweet kisses, and bond over Freckles. It’s not the steamiest romance, but it’ll satisfy your sweet tooth.

The angst comes in the form of Carter’s serious lack of self-esteem. It’s the result of a childhood burdened with expectations and crappy job. I really liked seeing how being with Sandy convinced Carter to re-evaluate his life and explore solutions that could work.

The ending felt a bit tentative, but I’d still say that it’s a HEA. Sandy and Carter certainly have what it takes to make it work long-term.

Overall, this was a sweet holiday romance with a very cute puppy! Bonus points for the guest appearances by the boys from the Johnnies series, which I was absolutely giddy over.



Profile Image for Liz (Bugetta).
1,200 reviews75 followers
February 1, 2018
This was really cute. Not uber-angsty Amy Lane, which was what I needed. I loved how the romance between Carter and Sandy progressed and I also thought it was fun to see Carter fall for his adorable little dog too and grow a backbone at work. I'd love to revisit these guys.
I listened to the audio version and Nick J. Russo's narration was great!
Profile Image for Anja.
645 reviews46 followers
December 14, 2016
4.5

Oh my, this book pushed all the right buttons for me, and I adored the eff out of the story and the protagonists. Also, dogs!!!

That's all that needs to be said :D
Profile Image for Karen.
1,860 reviews91 followers
December 9, 2017
Christmas and puppies...it's like a box of happiness...

I first read this story when it was released in e-book format last year and needless to say it was adorable. I'm not going to re-invent the wheel, so I'll just borrow from my original review...
Carter Embree is a lawyer stuck in a dead-end job that he hates...well, he doesn't actually hate the job, just who he works for. Carter's a lawyer with a conscience and with each day he's becoming more and more unhappy with what he sees.

Sandy Corrigan's a vet tech who wants to a vet so at 33 years old he's working full time and going to school.

These two men's lives collide when Carter ends up the unexpected owner of a puppy that he's told is a Chow/Samoyed mix so imagine his surprise when he find out that his Chow/Samoyed dog is in fact a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua mix...little bit of a size discrepancy there...lol!

I liked Carter with all his insecurities and quiet demeanor. Carter was also a reflection of the adage 'money can't buy you happiness'. He'd been raised in a home where money wasn't a issue, the best schools, successful parents. But what Carter really wanted was someone to share his life with someone whom he could believe in and who believed in him.

Sandy was in many ways Carter's opposite. He'd grown up with a sister and a single mom. Things like money for college and nice homes weren't a possibility in Sandy's world. But Sandy wasn't one to let things like this get him down. He was confident and upbeat. He knew what he wanted and when he saw it he went for it. So when Sandy decided that there was more to Mr. Crazypants than meets the eye it was only a matter of time.

'Freckles' was a fun, sweet story of a romance that started because one man gave his heart to a cute, little puppy. I loved the slow build between Carter and Sandy and watching Carter figure out where his life was going both personally and professionally. This was a feel good story with little to no angst and lots of feelz to make you smile and a happily ever after that will keep you smiling.
So here we are basically a year later and 'Freckles' once again comes across my radar only this time it's the audio book version and it's narrated by Nick J. Russo...ya' all know I'm a fan, right? Yep, sign me up. It's a book by one of my favorite authors and it's being narrated by one of my favorite narrators and I'mma gonna have me a few hours of happy time because when it comes to audio books Mr. Russo is as close to a surefire deal as one can get.

If you're like me and find that while you love to read books, it's also nice to have someone read you a story...'Freckles' is a fun grown-up version of having a bedtime story read to you...it's Christmas time, there's an adorable little puppy and two hot men who find the gift of love in each other...what's not to enjoy? Happy Listening & Happy Holidays!

*************************
An audio book of 'Freckles' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Vanessa theJeepDiva.
1,257 reviews118 followers
November 7, 2016
Every time I read an Amy Lane book I wonder why I haven’t already read her entire backlist. Freckles was the same for me. It’s sweet, it’s wholesome, and there was a cozy little love story to go with it.

Life isn’t really simple for Carter. He adds most of its complications on his though so it shouldn’t be too shocking for him that his life isn’t smooth and ideal. Little does he know that this November his life will change completely and irrevocably for the best. His boyfriend has left him as they all eventually do typically after just a few short months. His job is sucking the life out of him especially since he knows that his firm is in the wrong this time. The quick trip to the supermarket for some basic yet much needed ulcer preventing medications leaves him as the owner of a small dog.

The insta-love Sandy sees going on between Carter and Freckles leaves him wanting to get to know even more about this unassuming pet owner. Sandy knows he’s not ideal relationship material. He too has failed relationships due to his very own shortcomings. Sandy is however getting his life to a place that he calls happy. He’s working as a vet tech while doing veterinary school the long way, a couple of classes a semester. He loves where his life is directed to go. Perhaps he can get the crazy-pants new small dog owner to see that a new boyfriend might go along nicely with a new dog.

Freckles has mastered the art of changing mens lives in her very short, very small life. She started with Carter then began her furry work on Sandy. She’s an adorable ball of accidental poops and fur and simply a must read. Her humans are there to assist her in making this book an interesting holiday read.
Profile Image for Catherine.
1,610 reviews271 followers
Want to read
October 23, 2016
This cover practically screams "I'm gonna try to kill you with the cute." I mean, just look at that adorable, fuzzy face! How could anyone resist that face? I'm not a pet owner, and even I want to hug and squeeze and love this puppy for ever and ever and ever.
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