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My Forever Home

(Rescue Me #3)

Debbie Burns (Goodreads Author)

4.08 · Rating details · 449 ratings · 104 reviews

Love comes to the rescue.

Vet school drop-out Tess Grasso dreams of having her own pet therapy business, but she meets one disastrous obstacle after another. There's no denying she has a way with animals, so in the meantime she puts her skills to use at a local no-kill shelter. Between helping her furry companions and a budding relationship with fellow dog lover Mason Reddi ...more

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Paperback, 352 pages

Published December 27th 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca (first published November 27th 2018)

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· 449 ratings · 104 reviews

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Nov 30, 2018 Julie rated it liked it

Shelves: 2018, animals-and-pets, e-book, contemporary-romance, netgalley, sourcebooks-casablanca

My Forever Home by Debbie Burns is a 2018 Sourcebooks Casablanca publication.

I’m a huge animal lover, so naturally, I’m a sucker for any story that features pets and animals. This one is centered around Tess Grasso, a veterinary school dropout, who dreams of opening her own pet therapy business, and Mason Redding, a professional baseball player recuperating from an injury that has him temporarily sidelined.

The couple bonds over a stray Husky. They give the dog a very special name, which was ve My Forever Home by Debbie Burns is a 2018 Sourcebooks Casablanca publication.

I’m a huge animal lover, so naturally, I’m a sucker for any story that features pets and animals. This one is centered around Tess Grasso, a veterinary school dropout, who dreams of opening her own pet therapy business, and Mason Redding, a professional baseball player recuperating from an injury that has him temporarily sidelined.

The couple bonds over a stray Husky. They give the dog a very special name, which was very cool. I loved it! But, as their friendship deepens, Tess develops a huge crush on Mason. However, Mason has failed to inform Tess he is a famous athlete, fearing that if she knew, it would spoil their pure relationship.

Naturally, the truth must come out sooner or later, but in the meantime, they look for their favorite Husky, who also weighs in on the situation.

This story will appeal to the animal lover in all of us. The homeopathic, holistic approach to treating pets and rescue animals is an interesting topic. However, it overpowered the story, with the relationship developments running mainly in the background. The chemistry between Tess and Mason leads to a very, very slow burn romance, which, unfortunately, after the build up to Mason’s confession to Tess regarding his professional life, was very anticlimactic, and the ending was fairly rushed.

The bulk of the book is about pet therapy, and is fun to read, on that basis. However, if you are looking for a romance with more character depth, emotions or steam, this one fails to deliver on that front.

Overall, romance seekers may be left wishing for more, but animal lovers will find this one quite appealing.

*Personal note:
This story is about holistic healing for pets. While I have nothing against this practice, per se, since I often prefer it for my own health, it should be noted that the use of essential oils for dogs should be approached with great caution. Some essential oils are poisonous or toxic to dogs. Ask your Vet or seek professional services before using them. I would suggest doing a lot of research on this if you are a dog owner.

The Savannah cat is beautiful, and the one featured in this story is a rescue, but I PERSONALLY have mixed feelings about cross-breeding. This is my opinion only. If you have a differing opinion on these subjects, my goal is not to offend, and I will not engage in a debate. I only mention it because this book is a work of fiction, and readers may want to do some further reading on the topics mentioned in this novel, just be better informed on the pros and cons.

That said, I applaud the author for giving props to animal shelters and rescue centers everywhere. ...more

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Sep 02, 2019 Robin Loves Reading rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-challenge, robin-loves-reading-2019-challenge, library, kindle, 2019-books, reading-challenge, pages

When Mason Redding helps Tess Grasso in a tough situation, the two hit it off right away. Tess wonders if she will ever see Mason again. Of course, things work to Tess's advantage and she soon sees Mason again. However, their relationship has a hitch Tess is unaware of. Mason is a major league baseball player, and he does not want Tess to like him because of his celebrity status.

The two have a problem that they are dealing with and this helps to bond them together. Mason has been trying to catch ...more

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Oct 12, 2018 Bea rated it liked it

Shelves: review-consideration, animals, romance, kindle, read-in-2018, ebook

3.5 stars

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Nov 23, 2018 Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018, books-to-review

I really enjoy this series that centers around a pet shelter in St Louis. This is the third book in the series and Tess was introduced in the second book, Sit, Stay, Love and I have to say I wanted to know more about her and her background so I was glad to see this was the next book in the series. We also see many familiar characters such as Patrick, Megan, Kelsey, and Kurt. I believe in the second book there was mention of Mason but I can't remember for sure.

I find it interesting that Tess h ...more

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Dec 10, 2018 Saly rated it really liked it

Shelves: rom-contemporary, single-titles, read-in-2018

Again a pretty sweet read. Our heroine is struggling to get her business of the ground, and our hero is struggling after an injury. The heroine comes to his rescue without knowing about his fame or money and he loves that. Once again I loved how slow burn the romance was. The characters actually got to know each other and spend time together. Another great read.

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Jan 29, 2021 Stacey rated it it was amazing

Best of the series so far! I loved hearing the dogs perspective.

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Dec 12, 2018 Aly rated it really liked it

For a while, Tess Grasso backpacked throughout Europe but she's back to stay with her grandmother, now that her grandfather passed away. She dropped out of vet school but her heart has always been with dogs and she dream of starting her business of holistic animal therapy, while she's currently working at the High Grove Animal shelter. After a couple of back lucks happening to her, it's safe to say that Tess is quite unlucky. But what began as a misfortune when she helped a stranger with a dog w For a while, Tess Grasso backpacked throughout Europe but she's back to stay with her grandmother, now that her grandfather passed away. She dropped out of vet school but her heart has always been with dogs and she dream of starting her business of holistic animal therapy, while she's currently working at the High Grove Animal shelter. After a couple of back lucks happening to her, it's safe to say that Tess is quite unlucky. But what began as a misfortune when she helped a stranger with a dog will soon turn into the best thing that could happen to her.

Professional baseball player Mason Redding is very lucky despite the bad luck. Because he's still alive after being seriously injured twice. Once hit by lightning that almost costed him his future, he's now recovering for a car accident that put his career on hold. Needing help first, with his neighbor's dog and then with a stray husky he's trying to approach, Mason meet a woman who make him wish he could tell her who he really is without the fear it would change the way she see him.

"Can I bring something? Dessert?"
"Just your sweet self."
Her mouth went dry. She didn't think in all her life she'd ever wanted to be kissed as much as she did now."

The focus of this book is more about the heroine's journey and the dogs than the romance but surprisingly, it didn't bother me. Probably because I really liked how the story was told, there was so many good elements to it and I felt in love with both the MC and the stray dog as well. This part was written in such an unique way and with a few scenes in the canine's POV and the dogs lover in me was so happy with it :) I also enjoyed the moment when Tess's grandmother meet Mason and how she handled it. An other great thing : how Mason was down-to-earth and a really decent guy because he wants to wait that Tess know the truth before getting involve romantically with her. It mean the romance took a lot of time to begin (more than half the book), even if it's obvious there's chemistry between them, but I liked how their relationship began as friendship with attraction first and slowly but naturally evolved into something more. ...more

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Dec 27, 2021 Carla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: animals, audio, hoopla, romance

3.5 rounded up. This is another series that I have dipped in and out of, and although you don't need to read them all in order, I am trying to read and/or listen to the ones I have missed along the way. In My Forever Home, Tess Grasso gets a job working at the local no-kill shelter in St. Louis. She has some veterinarian training behind her, but practices a lot of holistic medicine with the animals she deals with. Mason Redding is home healing from surgery and they meet up while he is walking hi 3.5 rounded up. This is another series that I have dipped in and out of, and although you don't need to read them all in order, I am trying to read and/or listen to the ones I have missed along the way. In My Forever Home, Tess Grasso gets a job working at the local no-kill shelter in St. Louis. She has some veterinarian training behind her, but practices a lot of holistic medicine with the animals she deals with. Mason Redding is home healing from surgery and they meet up while he is walking his neighbour's dog who gets away from him. They become friends bonding over a stray dog and some puppies whose mother has died. What Tess doesn't realize is that Mason is a well-known professional baseball player who is recognized by most people. He is enjoying his anonymity with Tess and getting to know her without worrying that she just wants to be with him because he is famous.

This was a sweet romance involving animals, which I enjoyed. I liked the characters we meet in this story, especially Tess' grandma. She loves Tess and wants her to be happy. She takes an instant liking to Mason, and she knows who he is. John Ronald is a street dog that Mason has been feeding and is sure that will someday be his dog. He is my favourite character in the story. The puppies, whose mother has died are his, and I love how he gets Tess and Mason to rescue them. I was interested in how the staff all work together to save the pups. The sections of the story from John Ronald's perspective were wonderful and add an interesting twist. George, Mason's neighbour and partner in the building he owns adds some humour to the story, especially when it comes to Mason trying to make a vegetarian meal for Tess. There is some angst to the story surrounding Mason's identity, but I think the lead up to it was a bit much, more than the incident itself. It was almost like it was added to put some turmoil in the story. Overall, this is a sweet, wholesome romance with wonderful characters and animals that I enjoyed. Stina Nielsen narrates this audiobook. She is a performer that I have listened to several times and I enjoyed her expression and voice for this book. ...more

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Apr 29, 2019 Marie Christensen rated it it was amazing

Wish there was a higher than 5* rating! This is my third book in the series,can't wait for more! Animal rescues & romance what more do you need? ...more

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Apr 19, 2019 Pam rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-romance

I have a Husky and to finally get to read a book that has a Husky I LOVED IT. Mason won me over trying to save John Ronald Tess and here grandmother are loving and sweet. I love John Ronald , the puppies , Mason and Tess. Not all who wander are lost.

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Nov 24, 2018 Irene rated it really liked it

4 stars

My Forever Home by Debbie Burns is a sweet and heartwarming read.
The writing is well done, the storyline entertaining from start to end and I loved watching the relationship develop between Tess and Mason.

Overall, My Forever Home is a heartwarming read and I highly recommend it.

*A big thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

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Dec 17, 2018 Elley Murray rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-netgalley, closed-door-romance, mistaken-identities, romance, doggy-romance, contemporary-romance, athletes

Rating: 3.5 stars

I really appreciate that Debbie Burns gives her characters so many flaws and dimensions and makes them so *real* and relatable. The characters she writes are so damaged and broken in so many ways, and their flaws are what make them truly special and beautiful. Tess especially comes from a pretty tough background, but the love she has with her Nonna is so great. (And oh my gosh, her Nonna is giving Patrick a run for his money as my favorite character in this series! Where do I ge Rating: 3.5 stars

I really appreciate that Debbie Burns gives her characters so many flaws and dimensions and makes them so *real* and relatable. The characters she writes are so damaged and broken in so many ways, and their flaws are what make them truly special and beautiful. Tess especially comes from a pretty tough background, but the love she has with her Nonna is so great. (And oh my gosh, her Nonna is giving Patrick a run for his money as my favorite character in this series! Where do I get myself a Nonna like that?) She's also got such grit, and just keeps picking herself up and pushing on through, and it's wonderful. I want to hug her and squeeze her and buy her a macbook too.

Then Mason is learning some hard lessons (and Georges is basically his like a fairy godmother, no? I love Georges. Nonna and Georges forever! Debbie Burns gives such good side character...) and while he's made some mistakes he's also got this just solid gold good corn-fed Iowa boy thing going on, and mmpfh. Yummy. Get you a man who names his stray dog after Tolkien, because *melt*.

For all that I loved Tess and Mason individually (and all of the side characters), as I'm writing this review I can't actually recall much about their chemistry together. I feel like there was a lot of telling and not much showing - like them both having some connection to Tolkien's line in the poem about "All who wander are not lost." Clearly that line resonated really deeply with both of them, but as a reader that fact was just told to me and didn't register on an emotional level. So while I really liked this book and the characters, it was missing a certain something/spark/chemistry between Mason and Tess to make it really connect with me and be a WOW POW 5 STAR! read for me.

My Forever Home is the third book in the Rescue Me series, but can be read as a stand alone. There are some minor (reading the back-cover-blurb-level) spoilers for the second book in the series, Sit, Stay, Love, but you don't need to read the series in order to enjoy this book. Characters from the first books in the series show up as side characters in this one (and I'm still holding out for Patrick to be an MC in a later book in the series, PLEASE!) My Forever Home is written in the third person limited POV and alternates between giving the reader a deeper insight into Tess and Mason's POV, and is a "clean" romance with a fade-to-back on the more suggestive content. ...more

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Nov 26, 2018 Barb Lie rated it it was amazing

My Forever Home by Debbie Burns is the 3rd book in her Rescue Me series. Once again Debbie Burns gives us a wonderful sweet story that is based around an animal shelter, with a sweet couple and a fantastic dog.

Tess Grasso, our heroine, has always loved animals, and was planning to be a vet, but things changed, as she wanted to do something more. Tess is wonderful with the animals, knowing how to handle them in all kinds of situations and her knowledge and love for them shows.

Mason Redding is ou My Forever Home by Debbie Burns is the 3rd book in her Rescue Me series. Once again Debbie Burns gives us a wonderful sweet story that is based around an animal shelter, with a sweet couple and a fantastic dog.

Tess Grasso, our heroine, has always loved animals, and was planning to be a vet, but things changed, as she wanted to do something more. Tess is wonderful with the animals, knowing how to handle them in all kinds of situations and her knowledge and love for them shows.

Mason Redding is our hero, and we meet him when he is walking his friend’s dog, and notices a stray dog that seems to be following him. When the dog escapes, it is Tess who happens upon the scene and manages to retrieve the dog. In a short time, a friendship develops between Mason and Tess, which will turn into a slow build sweet romance.

Mason wants badly to find the stray dog, who he plans to adopt, and has already named him John Ronald. Tess and Mason will begin their search, and when they finally find him, it becomes emotional as John Ronald tries to bring them to some puppies whose mother died, and they are sadly near death. But Tess will spend the night at the shelter, and they will all work overtime to save their lives. Very sweet.

Mason knows he is falling for Tess, but he has a secret that he must tell her before he expresses his feelings. Mason is a pro baseball player, who is currently on the injured list, and has kept this a secret from Tess, as she does not follow baseball. He enjoys being with Tess, and no one knowing how famous he has become. When Tess discovers the truth, will this ruin their relationship?

I love this series,which spends much of the time with the shelter, and the wonderful dogs or cats they have rescued; it is heartwarming to watch how much they all care about the animals. The romance between Tess and Mason was sweet, and I really liked them together, and loved how John Roland played a part in bringing them together. It was also cute to have a few POV’s in John Roland’s thoughts.

What follows is a wonderful sweet slow build romance between Tess and Mason. This was a wonderful sweet romance, with the shelter family and animals as a major part of the story.

Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful, delightful, sweet, heartwarming story that kept us hooked until the very end. My Forever Home was a beautiful and heartwarming story, as we fell in love with the couple, the secondary characters and all the dogs/cats, especially John Ronald. Mason and Tess romance was pure and sweet, and blended so well into the story. My Forever Home was well written by Debbie Burns. If you love animals, with a romance in the background, you need to read this book.

Barb
The Reading Cafe ...more

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Jan 15, 2019 Deb rated it it was amazing

Talk about a gripping read…have those tissues ready.

We met Tess and Mason in book one of the Rescue Me Series. Now here is their story.

Mason drew my interest from book one, not just for his good looks. lol It’s for his huge heart, and his obvious love for John Reynolds (A stray dog). Mason has always drawn people to him for his celeb status, so imagine his surprise when a sweet gal had no idea who he was and was willing to help him give John Reynolds a happy home.

Tess maybe a short gal, but what ...more

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Jan 16, 2020 ReadBecca rated it really liked it

Shelves: library

We were briefly introduced to both characters at the heart of this story in the previous book - Tess Grasso mentored with the same dog trainer as ex-military Kurt and showed up to help out with rehabbing the dogs rescued from a fighting ring, while Mason Redding is a pro-baseball player with the Cardinals who saw the story about the shelter taking those dogs and popped in to make a high profile donation.
Now, Tess being a perpetual failure in her past never completed her vet course, so is trying ...more

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Nov 23, 2018 BookAddict rated it really liked it

Any book that has pets in it, and especially one with an emphasis on rescue animals, is a winner for me. Tess is trying to start a pet therapy business, and she stops to help a man get his energetic dog back on the leash. The dog is recovered easily enough, but in the meantime, someone has stolen Tess's belongings. Her business plan, client testimonials and all of her research, gone. Little does she know, the man she helped and is in danger of falling for is none other than professional baseball ...more

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Dec 31, 2018 Tobi Forget the Housework, I'm Reading... rated it it was amazing

I loved this story from beginning to end. I was anxious to read Tess's story after reading Sit, Stay, Love. Debbie Burns didn't disappoint. Her unexpected romance was enthralling and unique. I loved the added part from the dog's POV. Absolutely awesome. I loved Tess's grandma and her interactions with our hero, Mason. Mason, wants a chance without a lady seeing only a baseball player and he lucked into the one person in St. Louis that has no clue who he is. He's got a giant heart and he will swe ...more

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Jan 19, 2019 Nancy rated it really liked it

Shelves: walmart-popular, pets, own-this-as-pb, part-of-a-series

A most enjoyable series!
5 stars for all the pet parts and 3 star for romance averages out to my rating.
This is the third in “A Rescue Me” series and I plan to read any more that come my way.
Setting: St. Louis,MO
Included are some parts from ( the heroic dog)John Ronald’s point-of-view which were unique and interesting.

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Oct 06, 2019 Savannah Hendricks rated it it was amazing

As the third book in the series, I was anxious to read this story. If you see my ratings, book 1 was 5 stars, book 2 was 4 stars, and this 3rd book is 5 stars. The story of Mason and Tess was relatable on many levels and the dog training facts were also a lot of fun addition. A bonus was the chapters from the stray dog's point of view. ...more

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May 31, 2021 Readsandeats rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed this story.
The dog's perspective was fun to read. I liked the characters and the situations they were in.
I loved the rescue aspect of this story, not just the dogs but the main characters as well.

Looking forward to reading more of this series. ...more

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Jan 28, 2019 Ahw rated it liked it

Yes, I did read this.
It was a "Dog Lover's Romance" genre story and it did it well. I would never have thought there was such a genre.
If you love dogs and romance novels this will be great for you.

Please note: It deserves an "R" rating or perhaps a very high PG-13. ...more

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Mar 05, 2020 Kathy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Wonderful story for dog lovers

I am really enjoying the Resue Me stories. Tess and Mason are great characters and I liked how they met and slowly worked their way into a relationship. The chapters from the dogs' point of view are genius. I confess to being a little disappointed in the ending. Yes, they were together but I wanted to see the reunion between John Ronald and the puppies, and find out who adopted Zoe, and know Mason recovered well and played again and how Tess coped with the notoriet ...more

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Nov 14, 2018 Sophia rated it liked it

Shelves: holiday-romances, contemporary-romance, net-galley-reads

I adored the book before this in the series and wanted to keep going with more of the same heartwarming romance and cutie shelter dog co-stars. I found it moderately engaging and enjoyed the rescue shelter world once again.

My Forever Home takes up the story of Tess who does dog therapy and Mason a baseball player who is recovering from an injury along with John Ronald a stray Huskie. The book is third in the Rescue Me series and is connected to the other two with recurring characters and the she I adored the book before this in the series and wanted to keep going with more of the same heartwarming romance and cutie shelter dog co-stars. I found it moderately engaging and enjoyed the rescue shelter world once again.

My Forever Home takes up the story of Tess who does dog therapy and Mason a baseball player who is recovering from an injury along with John Ronald a stray Huskie. The book is third in the Rescue Me series and is connected to the other two with recurring characters and the shelter, but can also work fine as a standalone.

Tess has returned from a long sojourn in Europe where she worked and traveled while trying to get a handle on her life. Her nonno's ill health and death bring her home to St. Louis. Tess plans to start up her own pet therapy business and in the meantime is working with the abused dogs that were brought in from a dog fighting ring bust at the rescue shelter. She encounters Mason who is trying to help a neighbor with their dog and also trying to coax a stray huskie into trusting him. They hit it off and share a love for dogs, but Tess isn't aware Mason is a big time baseball pro who plans to get back in the game after his injuries heal and he keeps it a secret which you can imagine doesn't stay a secret.
Tess, on the other hand has some issues that complicate things even beyond Mason's secret. She was the oopsie kid who came late in the family and her parents were always distant and her siblings much older. She tends to start things and not stick with them. She doesn't have a lot of confidence in herself or accepting that others see her differently than she does. Now, she is sorting through the family situation after her grandfather died and working hard to get her business off the ground. It takes a stray dog to keep this pair together.

I liked it. I wanted to love it because I like slow burn, heartwarming romances, circle of friends, adorable animals, and family situations. But, I couldn't seem to get past like. I think the big reason was nothing reached out and pulled me in. I was easily distracted and had no trouble putting it down or read other things between book encounters though, that said, I wasn't reluctant to pick it back up.

The plot was cozy and heartwarming and easy-reading. I definitely was rooting for Tess and Mason to take their chance at happiness. He was good for her and she, for him. Their time together working with the dogs and spending time against the backdrop of the holidays made it fun. John Ronald and especially the occasions when that dog got the narration were the highlights for me. Tess' issues and Mason's secret were not overblown for which I was glad since I didn't find them huge things, but other than that it was cute and sweet.

So, it was all right. I preferred the book before it, but didn't dislike this one. I'll definitely take a look when the next installment comes out. I think it will be for those who adore dog side characters, gently-paced and gently plotted slow burn contemporary romance.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

...more

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Oct 03, 2021 Donna Mork rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult

This was a really sweet romance set in St. Louis. A young lady while trying to help a stray dog has her laptop and phone stolen. The man she was helping try to catch the dog feels responsible and wants to make it up to her. In the process he falls for her and she for him...what she doesn't realize is he is a famous sports player and listed as a most eligible bachelor list. He doesn't reveal this, hoping that she'll fall for him before she hears the hype and half-truths celebs often get. The dogs ...more

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Oct 16, 2018 Avid Reader rated it really liked it

My Forever Home (Rescue Me #3) by Debbie Burns
4 stars
M/F Romance
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

Tess is amazing with animals. She wanted to be a vet, but realized that she wanted more than to just fix broken or sick animals. When she realizes that she is floundering, she heads back to her grandma's house to figure out what her next steps are. Tess was the accidental child and she knew it. But, once she came to grips with it, she realized that she had a lot of love, jus ...more

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Nov 02, 2018 Darcy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018, net-galley-books, e-book, romance

This one was very cute. I liked that both Mason and Tess seem to be at a crossroads in their lives. Mason realizing that he needs to change his life, to be more real, while Tess is striving to find her place in life. I loved that they both got to do this together, the dogs were just an extra bonus. Bonding over a misbehaving dog was a great way to met, even if Tess lost something in the process. I liked Mason tried to return the favor for Tess and how he tried to replace what was lost.

John Ronal ...more

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Aug 31, 2018 Leann rated it it was amazing

In my Forever Home we meet animal loving, Tess Grasso. A vet school drop out, who's recently returned home from travels abroad to start her own pet therapy business. In the meantime she takes a job at the local animal shelter.
While out one rainy day she comes across Mason Redding trying to catch his neighbors run away dog. Mason is a baseball player healing from an injury. Before Tess knows it she's promised to help him catch a stray dog that hangs around his apartment building.
This book was pe ...more

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Nov 17, 2018 Margie rated it it was amazing

Tess Grosso wants to open her own healthy pet canine consulting business. Her latest proposal to the owner of Pouches and Pooches which sells upscale pet products doesn't go as well as she had hoped. While outside waiting for a bus to return home after her disappointing meeting Tess sees a guy chasing a runaway dog. "He's doing this all wrong" was Tess' first thought. Then it was time for action. Tess raced across the road to help the poor guy catch the pooch. Girl catches pooch. Guy is grateful Tess Grosso wants to open her own healthy pet canine consulting business. Her latest proposal to the owner of Pouches and Pooches which sells upscale pet products doesn't go as well as she had hoped. While outside waiting for a bus to return home after her disappointing meeting Tess sees a guy chasing a runaway dog. "He's doing this all wrong" was Tess' first thought. Then it was time for action. Tess raced across the road to help the poor guy catch the pooch. Girl catches pooch. Guy is grateful and offers her a ride home. Who can resist tall, handsome Mason Redding?

Mason Redding, star professional baseball player, was walking his friend's dog in the park when she slipped out of her collar. He wasn't having much luck catching her when a stranger stepped in to help. He discovers that not only is this stranger, Tess Grosso, great with dogs but he instantly felt comfortable with her, especially because she didn't recognize him. He was tired of women wanting to date him because of his fame. This woman was different. He wanted to get to know her better. Was she interested in seeing him again?

Street-smart stray dog, John Ronald, as Mason Redding believes his name should be, wants to trust Mason who has been feeding him and trying to befriend him for months. But trust doesn't come easy to this stray. It takes an extreme event to bring them together. Will this relationship between a dog-loving human and man's best friend turn out well?

Author Debbie Burns has written a truly beautiful love story in My Forever Home, book #3 in her Rescue Me series. She portrays love of man and love of dog with startling clarity. All three of the main characters, Tess, Mason and John Ronald have many past issues to overcome before trust and love prevail. Debbie Burns writes a smoothly running storyline conveying how the characters' roads to love and trust run, a road filled with bumps and twists. This author's ability to illustrate the conflicts in the lives of these characters as difficult yet resolution of their conflicts is possible with some effort and trust is admirable. This story was an emotional read for me and very pleasing as to how it ends. I was very invested in these characters and found myself rooting all throughout the book for their Happily Ever After. For all three of them together! ...more

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Mar 09, 2020 Michelle rated it liked it

Shelves: read-books

The story's ending left me wondering hanging. Tess has felt she was the screw-up of her family. She was woops baby for her parents. Her own mother thought about giving her up for adoption - the family already had older children that were almost out of the home. Tress's grandparents were her godsend while growing up. When she decides to run off to Europe on an internship the family thinks its just another failure for Tess - her grandmother knows that Tess just needs to find her real self and not ...more

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Jun 11, 2020 D. rated it liked it

I liked the premise of the book, but it fell short. The story was slow moving in which the characters' instant attraction seemed forced. I liked their background stories and waited so long for Mason to reveal his occupation to Tessa. They barely had an actual date and she goes out of town to visit his family after a couple of weeks was a bit daunting.

Tessa didn't have a great relationship with her parents or older siblings, since she was an "oops" baby. She grew up being raised by her other rel ...more

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About Debbie Burns

Debbie Burns

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Debbie Burns is a best-selling author who writes happily-ever-afters for her stories’ two- and four-legged stars. While her books have earned many awards and commendations, her favorite praise is from readers who’ve been inspired to adopt a pet in need from their local shelter.

Debbie lives in Saint Louis with her family, two thoroughly spoiled rescue dogs, and a ridiculously grumpy Maine Coon cat ...more