What do you think?
Rate this book
Ruff and Tumble: A Brightly Comedic Contemporary Romance
As a production assistant for the Puppy Cup, Hailey Lincoln knows all things puppies and football. So when Seattle Lumberjacks star quarterback Cole Bennett asks for PR help, she agrees. She's not swayed by Cole's good looks or stellar career, but by the puppies they can help. Okay, maybe she's swayed just a tiny bit by his good looks.
Winning at puppy football, however, is only the start. If she really wants to win—the game, the man, and the warm, welcoming family he takes for granted—she needs to pull out all the stops. And Cole, who's spent his entire life playing a game, has to realize that losing at football isn't nearly as catastrophic as losing the woman he loves.
Winning at puppy football, however, is only the start. If she really wants to win—the game, the man, and the warm, welcoming family he takes for granted—she needs to pull out all the stops. And Cole, who's spent his entire life playing a game, has to realize that losing at football isn't nearly as catastrophic as losing the woman he loves.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2021
13 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Gilmore
13 books924 followersLucy Gilmore is a celebrated novelist in a wide range of genres, including literary fiction, contemporary romance, and cozy mystery. She began her reading (and writing) career as an English literature major and ended as a book lover without all those pesky academic papers attached.
She lives in Spokane, WA with her family.
She lives in Spokane, WA with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 11, 2021
Ruff and Tumble was my first read by Lucy Gilmore and with an air of While You Were Sleeping—Hailey reminded me of Sandra Bullock’s character, awkward, quirky and a little alone in the world, and Cole’s family had a feel of the Gallagher’s as they fall for her as much as he does—I absolutely loved it.
The things I want to do to you don’t have anything to do with sleep.”
Fun from the furry brethren is balanced perfectly with their humans dealing with the complexity of life and love and it’s this that leads to not only Hailey and Cole but every character working their way into your heart. I needed a book to leave mine happy and put a smile on my lately-too-miserable face and with a wonderful cast of characters this was the one. I hope it’s not the last we’ve seen of them but nevertheless, Lucy Gilmore has a new reader.
Copy received courtesy of Sourcebooks via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
The things I want to do to you don’t have anything to do with sleep.”
Fun from the furry brethren is balanced perfectly with their humans dealing with the complexity of life and love and it’s this that leads to not only Hailey and Cole but every character working their way into your heart. I needed a book to leave mine happy and put a smile on my lately-too-miserable face and with a wonderful cast of characters this was the one. I hope it’s not the last we’ve seen of them but nevertheless, Lucy Gilmore has a new reader.
Copy received courtesy of Sourcebooks via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
July 4, 2021
After reading an emotionally heavy book yesterday, I needed something fun and sweet so of course I went with a romance with dogs in the story! And I knew I could count on Lucy Gilmore to put a smile on my face.
Cole Bennett is the Quarterback of the Seattle Lumberjacks and his life has always been all about football. But lately he's been less motivated, feels the old and new injuries more and it shows in his play. Cole thinks the answer is asking help from the woman at Puppy Cup, a yearly on-screen event that shows dogs simulating playing football during the Kickoff Cup. Fate decided that a meet-cute in an elevator with a pregnant dog will be the starting point of Cole and Hailey's love story😛.
Ruff and Tumble was a delight to read, not just for all the cute puppies and the MC's personal journey but especially because of how lovable they were. Cole is close to his family and a good listener who's always ready to help. He's stuck between wanting to listen to his heart and not disapointing his family. Hailey is a big fan of football and already a fan of him as player but that doesn't stop her from being straightforward when he asks her opinion. She have an unusual upbringing and she made the best with what she got but it's easy to see she feels lonely. She's the show's production assistant but she also foster dogs and use her work to try finding new home for the puppies❤.
Cole Bennett is the Quarterback of the Seattle Lumberjacks and his life has always been all about football. But lately he's been less motivated, feels the old and new injuries more and it shows in his play. Cole thinks the answer is asking help from the woman at Puppy Cup, a yearly on-screen event that shows dogs simulating playing football during the Kickoff Cup. Fate decided that a meet-cute in an elevator with a pregnant dog will be the starting point of Cole and Hailey's love story😛.
Ruff and Tumble was a delight to read, not just for all the cute puppies and the MC's personal journey but especially because of how lovable they were. Cole is close to his family and a good listener who's always ready to help. He's stuck between wanting to listen to his heart and not disapointing his family. Hailey is a big fan of football and already a fan of him as player but that doesn't stop her from being straightforward when he asks her opinion. She have an unusual upbringing and she made the best with what she got but it's easy to see she feels lonely. She's the show's production assistant but she also foster dogs and use her work to try finding new home for the puppies❤.
July 6, 2021
**Actually a 3.75-rating**
This would be so much easier to rate/review for me if I was merely writing up my end results reactions to this book -- a first for me from Lucy Gilmore [and not my last].
If I was giving my review in equal parts Cuteness/Adorable factor... and Did It Serve Its Purpose? --> and by this I mean, give me the story the Summary served up to me. And even sometimes shocking me by going forward a tad and breaking cookie-cutter boundaries by giving readers more. If so, this rating would go through the roof.
I walked into this book knowing full well it was not going to give me emotional punches and mysterious turmoils. By everything it doles out of itself... from Summary to book cover to maybe even a glimpse through the Title...this story should be easy-peasy, slam-dunks. Your typical Rom-Com served up on a golden platter.
You'd be kind of wrong, and this is what is sad about what allows some readers to pick and choose what they read by...outward appearances, alone. They never bother to take a chance on an unknown quantity to be pleasantly surprised by how much judging a book, literally, by its cover [...or synopsis or title...] can sometimes cause you to lose out on what could be a truly enjoyable and oddly different sort of read.
On the surface this book bleeds mediocrity. It's got a baskets of puppies... a quirky woman lead, a quarterback who plays for the NFL...it's got so much going for it, I almost had to take a step back for a bit and re-calibrate my brain to begin reading this story from another level. A much deeper and profound perspective.
Maybe taking a step above most quaint, small-town romantic comedies and notice that the Author put some real passionate effort in her writing--especially on her MCs, Hailey & Cole.
You can tell Lucy Gilmore is also either so passionate about football, just like her heroine... or she faked it really well with some extra help in knowing how to talk the verbiage needed to converse w/football players and also to talk like a hyper-fan who knows Stats and Bios about old games and players from each new generation of team roster.
There is also...a dog lover present. But even more than that...someone who knows about fostering animals, especially from a shelter. And I would go so far to even speculate this could spread into someone who also knows or knows OF the foster care system, and being "caught", "trapped" or born into the system of Foster Care.
That said...this is why this book is so much more than the sum of its outside parts. And it is a shame it could be overlooked because it is worthwhile to spend some quality time getting to know the two MCs, in Hailey and Cole.
Hailey especially because...hmm, a reader eventually realizes by the first couple of chapters into the story that Hailey is really unlike so many heroines you meet in Rom-Coms. Granted she has a lot of inner dialogue that makes you feel like she is shouting "NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS"...you have to rewind your itchy triggers to fathom...this is a woman who has grown-up in and out of Foster Homes w/ no real parent until she was 12.
By the time she does get the home she has dreamed of, and the parent she has always wanted...Life throws her another curveball and happiness for Hailey seems unattainable unless she is moving through the world always on her own. Hailey is also someone who never draws attention to themselves, so when she DOES meet Cole... she can never admit to him not only that she is a fan, she is a fan of his team... and that she is kind of an idiot savant when it comes to Stats and players Bios. Also, she is not half-bad in being an arm-chair coach...
Cole? Is yet another interesting prospect because when I first began this book I had some idea I would dislike him at some point, but instead I was wildly charmed by him, in very small ways. He has lived a very enchanted life as Quarterback of the Seattle Lumberjacks [think of them akin to the Seattle Seahawks], and it's pretty much a Legacy inside the history of NFL football. We never find this out until halfway through the book, but... Cole's Dad lost out on his own NFL quarterback career, so he is living vicariously through his son.
Those things said, when Cole comes to Hailey's work/office...where she is putting together the annual puppy football game. Hailey is the one who "recruits" the adoptable puppies and sets them into the two teams, whomever has reached this book's version of the Superbowl [called The Kickoff Bowl].
The Summary makes it seem like each time Hailey wins this puppy bowl game then the team she "represents" tends to win the Kickoff Bowl.
So, really, Cole is becoming a near washed-up quarterback who had a really bad shoulder injury a few seasons ago, but he keeps making everyone around him think he is able to do this... except he cannot with such a bum-shoulder he will never admit to. Hence the reason why folks say he is "cursed".
And now he needs to utilize Hailey, her puppies and the puppy bowl game itself in order to break this mysterious curse... when all he really needs to do is admit to his STILL injured shoulder and possibly consider retirement.
At the on-set, both Hailey and Cole are kind of very simplistic characters. Except at their cores they become deeper, and much more fascinating individuals.
I like some reviewer's assessment where they likened Hailey to Sandra Bullock's character in " While You Were Sleeping ", because the skin fits her so closely. Cole is NOT Bill Pullman [sadly] but he does become a great complex character to pit against Hailey.
What I enjoyed the most is the very first couple of instances of Cole meeting Hailey and him having to use his charms in order to get her to agree to his messed-up plan to break his "curse"--especially when HE has this power all along.
I liked their first meetings because it felt like Hailey was not, and would never, be hoodwinked to Cole's charisma. I mean she kept hiding the fact she was a die-hard Lumberjack fan but would tell him straight to his face how bad of a quarterback he was and how he doesn't use his wide reliever properly. It kept knocking Cole back on his feet as he continued to think his old charms could win Hailey over. She genuinely was not fooled by his "faked" swag.
A couple of chapters in and we are kind of smacked in the face with Hailey's heartbreaking personal story. More by her own POV [not that she outright tells strangers her full bio], but still it impacts a reader, one way or the other.
At some point we also get more and more in-depth with Cole... as we get to know his entire family. And as they warmly embrace Hailey--thinking she will help them break Cole's "curse" as a Good Luck Charm... we can see Cole's family through HER eyes, meeting them for the first time. Especially as Hailey is invited over on Football Sundays.
Now, I bet you are wondering after I said all this, why is my rating not 4-or at least higher? And you are right to feel this way because I myself became a bit despondent because I was willing to overlook a few instances, but then...hmm, I have become a more honest reviewer, over the years, when I admit to myself when the minor details begin to pile up and irk me...the book drains itself of some power. Some instances are easily changeable, but then others?.. so much it ruins the overall storyline and eventual organic level of relatability.
What was once believed, or perceived, is no longer plausible, and now the reading brain has to come into some agreement with the reviewing brain... and compile an answer as honest-as-can-be.
Even with the rare qualities, this book also has some formulaic ones. Immediate turn-offs, for me.
I will explain two instances. Somewhere past the 50%, the book reminds itself there can't be too much push-and-pull between the MCs and the Romance factor has to amp itself. Unfortunately, it takes one of those insta-turns [for me]... and where once Hailey was NOPE-ing Cole and shying away... and Cole was shockingly keeping a wide-berth [Hailey gave off some "keep away"vibes] from her... Then in one moment...Cole is throwing smarmy charms at Hailey...invading her personal space and brushing her long hair strands back... then he kind of just selfishly swoops in for an unsuspecting kiss, just because HE wanted to.
I sat there, dumbfounded, and kind of sad...if not a little depressed...when I had some idea this book would take me down different roads and MCs were not cardboard cutouts of 20-other Harlequin Romance heroes and heroines I have read in my past. I mean... the worst was having to watch Hailey suck in her massive shy introvert-ness, in such awkward moments, and suddenly DESIRE and WANT the smarminess charm Cole was bleeding out...
In a way it deadened me to them being a vital romantic couple. because now, in my wild imagination, I am reading 2 types of books. with 2 versions of Hailey and Cole--one w/an Insta-factor, while the other is in a nice slow-burn. It was simply odd how suddenly Lucy Gilmore's bright shining uniqueness in her great MCs were instantly eeking into cookie-cutter molds of ordinary, everyday horny Harlequin protagonists.
I actually read the rest of the book as a split-apart. I was able to now compartmentalize the formulaic Rom-Com-i-ness that can turn me off...but then also still see Lucy Gilmore's compassion for keeping HER ideals of who Hailey and Cole were, at their core.
I am unsure who told whom this needed re-edits...the "romance" had to be amped [at a certain point] or ramped up a few notches. Or that Cole had to "revert" into sometimes being a douchey player jock. And that Hailey had to become this beautifully sad version of a Harlequin heroine...
...yikes, still, what a lovely HEA. In my head, my first versions of Hailey and Cole [the slow-burn one] got that happy ending, moving on in their life together by building a family of adopted animals and being Foster parents...it warms my heart because the MCs I enjoyed more deserved that righteous ending.
**I received this e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
This would be so much easier to rate/review for me if I was merely writing up my end results reactions to this book -- a first for me from Lucy Gilmore [and not my last].
If I was giving my review in equal parts Cuteness/Adorable factor... and Did It Serve Its Purpose? --> and by this I mean, give me the story the Summary served up to me. And even sometimes shocking me by going forward a tad and breaking cookie-cutter boundaries by giving readers more. If so, this rating would go through the roof.
I walked into this book knowing full well it was not going to give me emotional punches and mysterious turmoils. By everything it doles out of itself... from Summary to book cover to maybe even a glimpse through the Title...this story should be easy-peasy, slam-dunks. Your typical Rom-Com served up on a golden platter.
You'd be kind of wrong, and this is what is sad about what allows some readers to pick and choose what they read by...outward appearances, alone. They never bother to take a chance on an unknown quantity to be pleasantly surprised by how much judging a book, literally, by its cover [...or synopsis or title...] can sometimes cause you to lose out on what could be a truly enjoyable and oddly different sort of read.
On the surface this book bleeds mediocrity. It's got a baskets of puppies... a quirky woman lead, a quarterback who plays for the NFL...it's got so much going for it, I almost had to take a step back for a bit and re-calibrate my brain to begin reading this story from another level. A much deeper and profound perspective.
Maybe taking a step above most quaint, small-town romantic comedies and notice that the Author put some real passionate effort in her writing--especially on her MCs, Hailey & Cole.
You can tell Lucy Gilmore is also either so passionate about football, just like her heroine... or she faked it really well with some extra help in knowing how to talk the verbiage needed to converse w/football players and also to talk like a hyper-fan who knows Stats and Bios about old games and players from each new generation of team roster.
There is also...a dog lover present. But even more than that...someone who knows about fostering animals, especially from a shelter. And I would go so far to even speculate this could spread into someone who also knows or knows OF the foster care system, and being "caught", "trapped" or born into the system of Foster Care.
That said...this is why this book is so much more than the sum of its outside parts. And it is a shame it could be overlooked because it is worthwhile to spend some quality time getting to know the two MCs, in Hailey and Cole.
Hailey especially because...hmm, a reader eventually realizes by the first couple of chapters into the story that Hailey is really unlike so many heroines you meet in Rom-Coms. Granted she has a lot of inner dialogue that makes you feel like she is shouting "NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS"...you have to rewind your itchy triggers to fathom...this is a woman who has grown-up in and out of Foster Homes w/ no real parent until she was 12.
By the time she does get the home she has dreamed of, and the parent she has always wanted...Life throws her another curveball and happiness for Hailey seems unattainable unless she is moving through the world always on her own. Hailey is also someone who never draws attention to themselves, so when she DOES meet Cole... she can never admit to him not only that she is a fan, she is a fan of his team... and that she is kind of an idiot savant when it comes to Stats and players Bios. Also, she is not half-bad in being an arm-chair coach...
Cole? Is yet another interesting prospect because when I first began this book I had some idea I would dislike him at some point, but instead I was wildly charmed by him, in very small ways. He has lived a very enchanted life as Quarterback of the Seattle Lumberjacks [think of them akin to the Seattle Seahawks], and it's pretty much a Legacy inside the history of NFL football. We never find this out until halfway through the book, but... Cole's Dad lost out on his own NFL quarterback career, so he is living vicariously through his son.
Those things said, when Cole comes to Hailey's work/office...where she is putting together the annual puppy football game. Hailey is the one who "recruits" the adoptable puppies and sets them into the two teams, whomever has reached this book's version of the Superbowl [called The Kickoff Bowl].
The Summary makes it seem like each time Hailey wins this puppy bowl game then the team she "represents" tends to win the Kickoff Bowl.
So, really, Cole is becoming a near washed-up quarterback who had a really bad shoulder injury a few seasons ago, but he keeps making everyone around him think he is able to do this... except he cannot with such a bum-shoulder he will never admit to. Hence the reason why folks say he is "cursed".
And now he needs to utilize Hailey, her puppies and the puppy bowl game itself in order to break this mysterious curse... when all he really needs to do is admit to his STILL injured shoulder and possibly consider retirement.
At the on-set, both Hailey and Cole are kind of very simplistic characters. Except at their cores they become deeper, and much more fascinating individuals.
I like some reviewer's assessment where they likened Hailey to Sandra Bullock's character in " While You Were Sleeping ", because the skin fits her so closely. Cole is NOT Bill Pullman [sadly] but he does become a great complex character to pit against Hailey.
What I enjoyed the most is the very first couple of instances of Cole meeting Hailey and him having to use his charms in order to get her to agree to his messed-up plan to break his "curse"--especially when HE has this power all along.
I liked their first meetings because it felt like Hailey was not, and would never, be hoodwinked to Cole's charisma. I mean she kept hiding the fact she was a die-hard Lumberjack fan but would tell him straight to his face how bad of a quarterback he was and how he doesn't use his wide reliever properly. It kept knocking Cole back on his feet as he continued to think his old charms could win Hailey over. She genuinely was not fooled by his "faked" swag.
A couple of chapters in and we are kind of smacked in the face with Hailey's heartbreaking personal story. More by her own POV [not that she outright tells strangers her full bio], but still it impacts a reader, one way or the other.
At some point we also get more and more in-depth with Cole... as we get to know his entire family. And as they warmly embrace Hailey--thinking she will help them break Cole's "curse" as a Good Luck Charm... we can see Cole's family through HER eyes, meeting them for the first time. Especially as Hailey is invited over on Football Sundays.
Now, I bet you are wondering after I said all this, why is my rating not 4-or at least higher? And you are right to feel this way because I myself became a bit despondent because I was willing to overlook a few instances, but then...hmm, I have become a more honest reviewer, over the years, when I admit to myself when the minor details begin to pile up and irk me...the book drains itself of some power. Some instances are easily changeable, but then others?.. so much it ruins the overall storyline and eventual organic level of relatability.
What was once believed, or perceived, is no longer plausible, and now the reading brain has to come into some agreement with the reviewing brain... and compile an answer as honest-as-can-be.
Even with the rare qualities, this book also has some formulaic ones. Immediate turn-offs, for me.
I will explain two instances. Somewhere past the 50%, the book reminds itself there can't be too much push-and-pull between the MCs and the Romance factor has to amp itself. Unfortunately, it takes one of those insta-turns [for me]... and where once Hailey was NOPE-ing Cole and shying away... and Cole was shockingly keeping a wide-berth [Hailey gave off some "keep away"vibes] from her... Then in one moment...Cole is throwing smarmy charms at Hailey...invading her personal space and brushing her long hair strands back... then he kind of just selfishly swoops in for an unsuspecting kiss, just because HE wanted to.
I sat there, dumbfounded, and kind of sad...if not a little depressed...when I had some idea this book would take me down different roads and MCs were not cardboard cutouts of 20-other Harlequin Romance heroes and heroines I have read in my past. I mean... the worst was having to watch Hailey suck in her massive shy introvert-ness, in such awkward moments, and suddenly DESIRE and WANT the smarminess charm Cole was bleeding out...
In a way it deadened me to them being a vital romantic couple. because now, in my wild imagination, I am reading 2 types of books. with 2 versions of Hailey and Cole--one w/an Insta-factor, while the other is in a nice slow-burn. It was simply odd how suddenly Lucy Gilmore's bright shining uniqueness in her great MCs were instantly eeking into cookie-cutter molds of ordinary, everyday horny Harlequin protagonists.
I actually read the rest of the book as a split-apart. I was able to now compartmentalize the formulaic Rom-Com-i-ness that can turn me off...but then also still see Lucy Gilmore's compassion for keeping HER ideals of who Hailey and Cole were, at their core.
I am unsure who told whom this needed re-edits...the "romance" had to be amped [at a certain point] or ramped up a few notches. Or that Cole had to "revert" into sometimes being a douchey player jock. And that Hailey had to become this beautifully sad version of a Harlequin heroine...
...yikes, still, what a lovely HEA. In my head, my first versions of Hailey and Cole [the slow-burn one] got that happy ending, moving on in their life together by building a family of adopted animals and being Foster parents...it warms my heart because the MCs I enjoyed more deserved that righteous ending.
**I received this e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
May 29, 2021
There were a few things that kept me from loving it completely but altogether this was an adorable, sweet romance with some very cute mascots!
Proper review to come. Many thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Proper review to come. Many thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2021
Okay, I just adored everything about Ruff and Tumble, by Lucy Gilmore. It checked all my boxes and then some, and after reading a string of meh-ish books, this one made me feel simply happy. In fact, it was the first e-book in a while where I kept checking the percentage read hoping it was low and not close to 100.
Ruff and Tumble falls loosely into the categories of pro-sports, famous/adorkable, and puppy-driven romances, and it does justice to all three. It takes us behind the scenes of the Puppy Cup, a fictionalized version of the real-life Puppy Bowl, imagining a meet-cute (if being trapped in an elevator with a laboring golden retriever can be considered cute) between a golden-boy pro quarterback and the more-cute-than-beautiful uncredited producer of the Cup.
But Gilmore manages to avoid the sticky-sweet pitfalls that come with this type of storyline by making her two characters go beyond the usual stereotypes, giving them compelling backstories. We have a professional athlete who wants out but feels hemmed in by a loving family and a former foster child who hasn't yet realized that everything is going to be okay and that she's not just loveable but actually loved. As Hailey and Cole get to know each other through the dogs, they each grow as individuals, which eventually helps them grow closer as a couple.
Throw in several terrific secondary characters--bipeds and quadrupeds alike--and you have a story that is funny and poignant and that feels complete even though you don't want it to end. Extra kudos to the author for writing an HEA that doesn't take the more obvious easy way out.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!
Ruff and Tumble falls loosely into the categories of pro-sports, famous/adorkable, and puppy-driven romances, and it does justice to all three. It takes us behind the scenes of the Puppy Cup, a fictionalized version of the real-life Puppy Bowl, imagining a meet-cute (if being trapped in an elevator with a laboring golden retriever can be considered cute) between a golden-boy pro quarterback and the more-cute-than-beautiful uncredited producer of the Cup.
But Gilmore manages to avoid the sticky-sweet pitfalls that come with this type of storyline by making her two characters go beyond the usual stereotypes, giving them compelling backstories. We have a professional athlete who wants out but feels hemmed in by a loving family and a former foster child who hasn't yet realized that everything is going to be okay and that she's not just loveable but actually loved. As Hailey and Cole get to know each other through the dogs, they each grow as individuals, which eventually helps them grow closer as a couple.
Throw in several terrific secondary characters--bipeds and quadrupeds alike--and you have a story that is funny and poignant and that feels complete even though you don't want it to end. Extra kudos to the author for writing an HEA that doesn't take the more obvious easy way out.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!
August 3, 2022
Although this was well written I felt like the characters needed to go to therapy not start a relationship. It just didn’t make sense why they were together.
June 27, 2021
I love Lucy Gilmore's books and I loved this one.
This is another excellent addition and I loved this story about life, what you want and what are the priorities.
It made me smile, laugh and root for the characters.
The plot is well developed, the characters human/canine are fleshed out and I rooted for Halley and Cole.
It was an engrossing, heartwarming and entertaining story that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This is another excellent addition and I loved this story about life, what you want and what are the priorities.
It made me smile, laugh and root for the characters.
The plot is well developed, the characters human/canine are fleshed out and I rooted for Halley and Cole.
It was an engrossing, heartwarming and entertaining story that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 3, 2021
Very cute romance with a too good to be true hero, and the quirky heroine who loves dogs. Adorable read.
June 2, 2021
A sweet, if totally unbelievable, romance. Hailey is first depicted as this terribly insecure and shy woman because of her sad childhood as a foster child. But then she’ll burst out with totally sassy comments when she meets the star quarterback of the Seattle team, a superstar she’s had a crush on for years. Yeah, I wasn’t buying that.
Cole is the quarterback whose team has never made it into the final game of the imitation Super Bowl of the fictional universe of this novel. Seattle thinks there is a curse on the team and somehow he’ll give his team confidence by working with Hailey who produces the Puppy Cup which is a pretend competition between puppies in order to encourage puppy adoption from shelters. Yeah, that’s a reasonable decision for a QB heading into the playoffs.
And add on top of that Cole’s secret desire to retire from football because of a shoulder injury and just not feeling it anymore. Except he can’t tell his family because they have devoted the entire family’s existence to furthering his career.
The whole set-up was so unlikely and I could never picture this puppy tournament which seemed to just be videos of cute puppies stitched together to give the illusion that they were playing a football game. A hunky athlete who loves puppies and his little niece and just seems like an all-around great guy is always nice, but I had a lot of trouble suspending the disbelief necessary to fully enjoy the novel.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.
Cole is the quarterback whose team has never made it into the final game of the imitation Super Bowl of the fictional universe of this novel. Seattle thinks there is a curse on the team and somehow he’ll give his team confidence by working with Hailey who produces the Puppy Cup which is a pretend competition between puppies in order to encourage puppy adoption from shelters. Yeah, that’s a reasonable decision for a QB heading into the playoffs.
And add on top of that Cole’s secret desire to retire from football because of a shoulder injury and just not feeling it anymore. Except he can’t tell his family because they have devoted the entire family’s existence to furthering his career.
The whole set-up was so unlikely and I could never picture this puppy tournament which seemed to just be videos of cute puppies stitched together to give the illusion that they were playing a football game. A hunky athlete who loves puppies and his little niece and just seems like an all-around great guy is always nice, but I had a lot of trouble suspending the disbelief necessary to fully enjoy the novel.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.
September 3, 2021
Football AND puppies?! What's not to love? I'd give this 3.5 stars if I could.
The football was great. The puppies were adorable and I wanted to adopt each and every one of them (especially Rufus). The characters were interesting and distinct. The story kept me engaged. The reason I didn't give this more stars is because the romance seemed too easy. Everything seemed a bit too easy, which made it lose a little luster for me. It didn't build and grow but more just popped into being. It was a different cadence than most of Lucy's books that I've read.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and would happily recommend it. It's cute and heartwarming but it isn't my favorite Lucy Gilmore.
The football was great. The puppies were adorable and I wanted to adopt each and every one of them (especially Rufus). The characters were interesting and distinct. The story kept me engaged. The reason I didn't give this more stars is because the romance seemed too easy. Everything seemed a bit too easy, which made it lose a little luster for me. It didn't build and grow but more just popped into being. It was a different cadence than most of Lucy's books that I've read.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and would happily recommend it. It's cute and heartwarming but it isn't my favorite Lucy Gilmore.
June 26, 2021
Ruff and Tumble by Lucy Gilmore is another one of her fun cute romances, featuring wonderful adorable dogs, not to mention some hunks along the way. Hailey Lincoln, our heroine, is a production assistant who runs the annual Puppy Cup, which coincides with official pro football cup. While in the planning stages with her co-worker, Penny, Hailey is shocked to see Cole Bennett (our hero & gorgeous hunk), the Seattle Lumberjacks star quarterback, walking into to her office.
Cole is determined to win this year’s Puppy Cup to help break their football team’s cursed luck, and he knows that the woman standing in front of him is undefeated for a few years; neither have met, though that is about to change. Hailey is not swayed by Cole’s charm, but agrees to work with him to help him select dogs for his team; Hailey only cares about making sure all the cute puppies get adopted. When Cole tries to use his charm, which never fails, she tells him all the things he does wrong on the football field. Though he is shocked how much she knows, he laughs and follows her to the elevator, with the pregnant dog she is taking care of; but to their dismay the elevator breaks, leaving them stuck and the dog is about to give birth to puppies. It was a funny and cute.
What follows is a sweet romance that develops between Cole and Hailey, and the fun with all the puppies was adorable. I got a kick out of Hailey getting Cole to take care of Phillip (a dog that was suffering anxiety), as well as getting another dog set up with Cole’s football friend. As their relationship grows, Hailey (who has no family) gets to meet Cole’s wonderful family, and they welcome her with open arms. They all enjoy Hailey easily setting in, especially since she has an uncanny ability to see what the players are doing wrong. Football is the major importance for the family, with Cole worried that his family will be upset, as his shoulder injury is not healing the way it should.
Ruff and Tumble was a fun sweet heartwarming romance with a couple that sizzled, but I totally adored how Hailey took care of the dogs/puppies, which was so much fun. Lucy Gilmore gave us some great secondary characters, besides Hailey and Cole; such as Penny, Regina, Garrett and Cole’s family. Ruff and Tumble was so very well written by Lucy Gilmore. If you love puppies, and a sweet romance, you should read this enjoyable story.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Cole is determined to win this year’s Puppy Cup to help break their football team’s cursed luck, and he knows that the woman standing in front of him is undefeated for a few years; neither have met, though that is about to change. Hailey is not swayed by Cole’s charm, but agrees to work with him to help him select dogs for his team; Hailey only cares about making sure all the cute puppies get adopted. When Cole tries to use his charm, which never fails, she tells him all the things he does wrong on the football field. Though he is shocked how much she knows, he laughs and follows her to the elevator, with the pregnant dog she is taking care of; but to their dismay the elevator breaks, leaving them stuck and the dog is about to give birth to puppies. It was a funny and cute.
What follows is a sweet romance that develops between Cole and Hailey, and the fun with all the puppies was adorable. I got a kick out of Hailey getting Cole to take care of Phillip (a dog that was suffering anxiety), as well as getting another dog set up with Cole’s football friend. As their relationship grows, Hailey (who has no family) gets to meet Cole’s wonderful family, and they welcome her with open arms. They all enjoy Hailey easily setting in, especially since she has an uncanny ability to see what the players are doing wrong. Football is the major importance for the family, with Cole worried that his family will be upset, as his shoulder injury is not healing the way it should.
Ruff and Tumble was a fun sweet heartwarming romance with a couple that sizzled, but I totally adored how Hailey took care of the dogs/puppies, which was so much fun. Lucy Gilmore gave us some great secondary characters, besides Hailey and Cole; such as Penny, Regina, Garrett and Cole’s family. Ruff and Tumble was so very well written by Lucy Gilmore. If you love puppies, and a sweet romance, you should read this enjoyable story.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
June 3, 2021
Lucy Gilmore always touches the heart with her very likable characters and adorable dogs.
Hailey Lincoln is a production assistant for the Puppy Cup. The Puppy Cup is the half-time show during the American Football Club's Kickoff Cup game. Fifty puppies comprise two teams and "play" a football game against each other. Hailey's team always seems to win. That's how she ends up meeting Cole Bennett, star quarterback of her favorite team, the Seattle Lumberjacks. Hailey's foster dad loved football and was a die-hard Lumberjack fan and that is how Hailey came to love the sport and the Lumberjacks. Hailey still lives in the house she shared with her foster dad. One step inside her house and you'd think you've died and gone to Lumberjack heaven. Lumberjack paraphernalia is everywhere. Cole Bennett wants to cash in on Hailey's Puppy Cup luck to break the "curse" the Lumberjacks play under. They just can't seem make it to The Kickoff Cup and win. Will Cole's plan work?
Cole Bennett has been living, breathing football all his life. The members of his family have dedicated themselves to Cole's football success. Being the best quarterback in football he can possibly be has been Cole's goal. His record is spectacular. His family is living his success with him. Cole has gotten it in his head that Hailey Lincoln's winning ways in the Puppy Cup is the secret to breaking the Lumberjack's Kickoff Cup curse. He never dreamed that his initiative in stepping into Hailey's office to propose his curse-breaking plan would lead to such a major change in his life. But Hailey Lincoln is so darn cute...
Ruff and Tumble by Lucy Gilmore is the cutest, sweetest story I have read in a while. Hailey Lincoln's love and dedication to fostering dogs and finding them the best "forever" homes is inspiring. I loved the beginning of the book where Hailey and Cole get stuck between floors in her office building's old elevator where the very pregnant Golden Retriever Hailey is fostering goes into labor. Awesome scene! It just keeps getting better and better from there. The ending chapters were so heartwarming I didn't want the story to end.
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Hailey Lincoln is a production assistant for the Puppy Cup. The Puppy Cup is the half-time show during the American Football Club's Kickoff Cup game. Fifty puppies comprise two teams and "play" a football game against each other. Hailey's team always seems to win. That's how she ends up meeting Cole Bennett, star quarterback of her favorite team, the Seattle Lumberjacks. Hailey's foster dad loved football and was a die-hard Lumberjack fan and that is how Hailey came to love the sport and the Lumberjacks. Hailey still lives in the house she shared with her foster dad. One step inside her house and you'd think you've died and gone to Lumberjack heaven. Lumberjack paraphernalia is everywhere. Cole Bennett wants to cash in on Hailey's Puppy Cup luck to break the "curse" the Lumberjacks play under. They just can't seem make it to The Kickoff Cup and win. Will Cole's plan work?
Cole Bennett has been living, breathing football all his life. The members of his family have dedicated themselves to Cole's football success. Being the best quarterback in football he can possibly be has been Cole's goal. His record is spectacular. His family is living his success with him. Cole has gotten it in his head that Hailey Lincoln's winning ways in the Puppy Cup is the secret to breaking the Lumberjack's Kickoff Cup curse. He never dreamed that his initiative in stepping into Hailey's office to propose his curse-breaking plan would lead to such a major change in his life. But Hailey Lincoln is so darn cute...
Ruff and Tumble by Lucy Gilmore is the cutest, sweetest story I have read in a while. Hailey Lincoln's love and dedication to fostering dogs and finding them the best "forever" homes is inspiring. I loved the beginning of the book where Hailey and Cole get stuck between floors in her office building's old elevator where the very pregnant Golden Retriever Hailey is fostering goes into labor. Awesome scene! It just keeps getting better and better from there. The ending chapters were so heartwarming I didn't want the story to end.
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
May 7, 2021
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
I went into this expecting just a sweet romance with some cute puppies, but this had so much more substance to it. Both Hailey and Cole were complicated and interesting people outside of their relationship with one another. I'm not a huge fan of the circumstances that initially brought them together because it was not fair of Cole to try to interfere with Hailey's career. I forgave him though because it wasn't so much that he didn't care, I'm pretty sure he just didn't think how the whole situation would play out and what impact it may have on her. he's selfish, but only so he can help others. As for Hailey, I didn't understand why she didn't just tell Cole her house was a shrine to the Lumberjacks because her dad was a fan. She didn't have to go into detail, but it would have been saved her the embarrassment of having him think she was a crazy stalker level fan. The build up to their argument was believable and I understood why Cole was getting upset - he was trying to explain to Hailey about the pressures he was feeling from all directions and she wasn't really listening to him. I get that she was trying to help reassure him that everything would be okay, but she couldn't see past her own feelings about it to understand how difficult his situation was for him. That still didn't make what he said to her okay, so I was glad that she made him work for it a little bit and didn't let him just make his grand gesture without really apologizing to her. I did want to smack Cole's dad for his reaction to Cole's decision to retire - I wish Hailey had been there to witness it so she could see that his fears weren't completely unfounded.
In addition to the main characters there are a lot of great supporting characters. I don't think this is a series, but I would certainly read stories focusing on Regina, Garrett, and/or Penny.
I went into this expecting just a sweet romance with some cute puppies, but this had so much more substance to it. Both Hailey and Cole were complicated and interesting people outside of their relationship with one another. I'm not a huge fan of the circumstances that initially brought them together because it was not fair of Cole to try to interfere with Hailey's career. I forgave him though because it wasn't so much that he didn't care, I'm pretty sure he just didn't think how the whole situation would play out and what impact it may have on her. he's selfish, but only so he can help others. As for Hailey, I didn't understand why she didn't just tell Cole her house was a shrine to the Lumberjacks because her dad was a fan. She didn't have to go into detail, but it would have been saved her the embarrassment of having him think she was a crazy stalker level fan. The build up to their argument was believable and I understood why Cole was getting upset - he was trying to explain to Hailey about the pressures he was feeling from all directions and she wasn't really listening to him. I get that she was trying to help reassure him that everything would be okay, but she couldn't see past her own feelings about it to understand how difficult his situation was for him. That still didn't make what he said to her okay, so I was glad that she made him work for it a little bit and didn't let him just make his grand gesture without really apologizing to her. I did want to smack Cole's dad for his reaction to Cole's decision to retire - I wish Hailey had been there to witness it so she could see that his fears weren't completely unfounded.
In addition to the main characters there are a lot of great supporting characters. I don't think this is a series, but I would certainly read stories focusing on Regina, Garrett, and/or Penny.
June 22, 2021
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Ruff and Tumble is a cute, if not super substantial, contemporary romance. That’s not a bad thing, as what you see being what you get can be a good thing in this time of confusing romance marketing (and boy, is that discussion becoming more and more loaded…this cover itself got dragged into one such thread).
That said, I think the idea of this was more interesting than the execution. This book seems to fictionalize professional football, with the hero, Cole, playing in a fictional version of the Super Bowl, and Puppy Cup seems like a fictional event similar to the real-life Puppy Bowl. The event and the way the dogs are involved is super-cute, especially how it sets up Hailey’s involvement, as she’s shown to always be working with the winning team, and Cole finds himself reaching out to her for help when he’s in a bit of bad luck.
I wasn’t super invested in the romance, although I appreciated there was some depth and conflict to the relationship, even if the book was still more fluffy. I did feel like there was an easy way out for Hailey to explain the Lumberjacks memorabilia due to her dad being a fan, and Cole did primarily think of his own interests first, although not because he was a bad person, but because of his own lack of foresight.
This book is cute, and while it didn’t blow me away, I never go into these books expecting that. I’m just here for the cute puppies, and this one definitely offered a generous helping of cute puppy scenarios. If you love dogs, sports, or dogs involved in sports (especially if you tune into the Puppy Bowl every year!), you’ll like this one.
Ruff and Tumble is a cute, if not super substantial, contemporary romance. That’s not a bad thing, as what you see being what you get can be a good thing in this time of confusing romance marketing (and boy, is that discussion becoming more and more loaded…this cover itself got dragged into one such thread).
That said, I think the idea of this was more interesting than the execution. This book seems to fictionalize professional football, with the hero, Cole, playing in a fictional version of the Super Bowl, and Puppy Cup seems like a fictional event similar to the real-life Puppy Bowl. The event and the way the dogs are involved is super-cute, especially how it sets up Hailey’s involvement, as she’s shown to always be working with the winning team, and Cole finds himself reaching out to her for help when he’s in a bit of bad luck.
I wasn’t super invested in the romance, although I appreciated there was some depth and conflict to the relationship, even if the book was still more fluffy. I did feel like there was an easy way out for Hailey to explain the Lumberjacks memorabilia due to her dad being a fan, and Cole did primarily think of his own interests first, although not because he was a bad person, but because of his own lack of foresight.
This book is cute, and while it didn’t blow me away, I never go into these books expecting that. I’m just here for the cute puppies, and this one definitely offered a generous helping of cute puppy scenarios. If you love dogs, sports, or dogs involved in sports (especially if you tune into the Puppy Bowl every year!), you’ll like this one.
June 6, 2021
I was absolutely taken by a book called Ruff and Tumble with a dog on the cover. Hailey is the production assistant who runs the Puppy Cup, the show during the halftime of the football championship game. Cole, the Seattle quarterback, approaches her to get involved with the Puppy Cup as well in hopes that she and the puppies will prove to be a good luck charm. The book features so many shelter pups, as a key goal of the Puppy Cup is to find homes for dogs. I would love the book just for the descriptions of puppies playing.
But the book is sweet in so many other ways as well. I loved Cole's family, especially his sister and niece. And I loved just about everything about Hailey. Her connection with and understanding of shelter pups is deep, and it's a key driver behind her job and her choice to foster dogs. She is equally connected to Cole's team and always picks him in the first round of her fantasy football draft. The two of them together are great fun, especially as she can critique his play like no one else. This book made me smile throughout. It's a fun romance.
Thank you to Sourcebook Casablanca and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
But the book is sweet in so many other ways as well. I loved Cole's family, especially his sister and niece. And I loved just about everything about Hailey. Her connection with and understanding of shelter pups is deep, and it's a key driver behind her job and her choice to foster dogs. She is equally connected to Cole's team and always picks him in the first round of her fantasy football draft. The two of them together are great fun, especially as she can critique his play like no one else. This book made me smile throughout. It's a fun romance.
Thank you to Sourcebook Casablanca and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
June 28, 2021
What a cute story! Ruff and Tumble by Lucy Gilmore has heart, one production assistant who lacks confidence, a star football player and lots of puppies. I guess I was expecting something along the lines of the Forever Home series which I adored but this is a unique book with a TV reality vibe to it. That is if you consider Puppy Cup to be reality TV.
The characters are fleshed out with both their strengths and weakness at play in this book. I didn’t quite understand Hailey Lincoln’s love or maybe knowledge of the Lumberjacks until her back story is given. What a lovely story it was. Cole Bennett’s was easier. It was obvious he had been groomed to play football from childhood. Their story is sweet but not too sweet if you know what I mean. The author strikes that balance just right between puppies and people making it a wonderful feel good romance. I hope that there are more to come because there are some supporting characters about whom I would like to know more.
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters are fleshed out with both their strengths and weakness at play in this book. I didn’t quite understand Hailey Lincoln’s love or maybe knowledge of the Lumberjacks until her back story is given. What a lovely story it was. Cole Bennett’s was easier. It was obvious he had been groomed to play football from childhood. Their story is sweet but not too sweet if you know what I mean. The author strikes that balance just right between puppies and people making it a wonderful feel good romance. I hope that there are more to come because there are some supporting characters about whom I would like to know more.
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 30, 2021
What a fantastic read about two of my favorite topics football and puppies. This book is centered around Hailey, the production assistant to the Puppy Cup and Cole, the current quarterback for the Seattle Lumberjacks. Hailey fosters dogs and right now she is fostering a pregnant Golden Retriever, Bess. When Cole visits the offices, Jasmine, Hailey’s boss, sends Hailey out with Cole. They get stuck in elevator and Cole injures his bad shoulder prying the doors apart to get help for Bess, who’s having difficulty delivering her puppies. Cole hopes Hailey can help him with the Kickoff Cup Curse, since she has such success with the Puppy Cup. What you should know is that Hailey’s dad, who adopted her, was a huge Lumberjacks fan and she knows a lot about the team players and isn’t afraid to share her opinions, lol, good or bad. I won’t leave any spoilers, but if you’re looking for a fantastic read about family, by blood or through friendship, you will enjoy reading about these amazing characters.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.
June 19, 2021
I'll grab any romance that features cute pups as this one does. Take a star QB trying to break a playoff "curse" for his team, a production assistant in charge of wrangling a bunch of shelter pups to perform in a puppy bowl in order to hopefully get themselves adopted. lots of cute puppies, and you've got the bones of a sweet and enjoyable romance.
As a former foster child, Hailey has had a tough time connecting with people and trusting in relationships. Cole has a loving and supportive family behind him, but fears that if he pulls out of football as he wants to, his family will never forgive him. When these two come together they give each other the courage to go after what they really want in life. Aside from Hailey's inconsistent characterization (one minute shy, seemingly weak and afraid to make any waves, the next minute strong enough to tell off pro football players) I really enjoyed this story. My thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
As a former foster child, Hailey has had a tough time connecting with people and trusting in relationships. Cole has a loving and supportive family behind him, but fears that if he pulls out of football as he wants to, his family will never forgive him. When these two come together they give each other the courage to go after what they really want in life. Aside from Hailey's inconsistent characterization (one minute shy, seemingly weak and afraid to make any waves, the next minute strong enough to tell off pro football players) I really enjoyed this story. My thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
February 4, 2025
I didn't really like this book too much. Which was odd because, I didn't think the plot or the story was bad. But the characters had about zero depth, even with good backstories. The heroine, while had a decent story, I didn't like her actual personality much at all. I couldn't really get attached to anyone as they were all so shallowly portrayed. And, again, the leading lady bugged me more than not.
But mostly, I didn't get the 'happy ending'. One minute the guy is a raging dick, the next he's the man of her dreams again. And while I guess others might have thought the 'redemption' was good. I sure didn't. Essentially he didn't say a fucking thing to apologize, just sent in his parents to her big showing. That's it, that's all it took?? Plus she was a bitch to the hero most of the time. Their epilogue was just of a couple months in the future and wasn't at all satisfying.
So, was just a very shallow book, with semi annoying characters and nothing really all that great about it. So just average and ok. Not great, not bad.
But mostly, I didn't get the 'happy ending'. One minute the guy is a raging dick, the next he's the man of her dreams again. And while I guess others might have thought the 'redemption' was good. I sure didn't. Essentially he didn't say a fucking thing to apologize, just sent in his parents to her big showing. That's it, that's all it took?? Plus she was a bitch to the hero most of the time. Their epilogue was just of a couple months in the future and wasn't at all satisfying.
So, was just a very shallow book, with semi annoying characters and nothing really all that great about it. So just average and ok. Not great, not bad.
June 30, 2021
I love the Puppy Cup
Star quarterback Cole is looking for something to prop up his image or give him luck. Hailey is in charge of running the Puppy Cup to help shelter puppies get adopted. When Cole wants to work with her on this, she is sceptical. However, he sticks with it, even fostering a timid puppy. But will this be enough to get him what he really wants?
The pace is engrossing and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character oriented storyline that has some steamy suggestions, but not a ton of details. The characters are vivid and endearing. Everyone is vividly shown, including the dogs, family members and some of the football teammates! I really liked that. If you like contemporary romances with complex characters and endearing puppies and dogs, then this is for you. Enjoy!
Star quarterback Cole is looking for something to prop up his image or give him luck. Hailey is in charge of running the Puppy Cup to help shelter puppies get adopted. When Cole wants to work with her on this, she is sceptical. However, he sticks with it, even fostering a timid puppy. But will this be enough to get him what he really wants?
The pace is engrossing and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character oriented storyline that has some steamy suggestions, but not a ton of details. The characters are vivid and endearing. Everyone is vividly shown, including the dogs, family members and some of the football teammates! I really liked that. If you like contemporary romances with complex characters and endearing puppies and dogs, then this is for you. Enjoy!
June 26, 2021
If you’re looking for a wonderful romantic easy read, Lucy Gilmore delivers! A new author for me, a superbly written easy read!
Hailey is the production assistant in charge of organising the ‘Puppy Cup’, a football game for puppies! Cole comes into Hailey’s life and helps deliver puppies, all while Hailey is giving him advice about his failing football game, it seems that the Super Bowl will be benefiting from her blunt observations.
A story of happiness, family belonging and deep consuming love, I absolutely adored the characters and the way the author shared the emotions of Hailey and Cole.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hailey is the production assistant in charge of organising the ‘Puppy Cup’, a football game for puppies! Cole comes into Hailey’s life and helps deliver puppies, all while Hailey is giving him advice about his failing football game, it seems that the Super Bowl will be benefiting from her blunt observations.
A story of happiness, family belonging and deep consuming love, I absolutely adored the characters and the way the author shared the emotions of Hailey and Cole.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 3, 2021
Anna says: I absolutely adored Ruff and Tumble by Lucy Gilmore. It is everything I want from a contemporary romance. I laughed out loud, I cried a little bit, the hero is a professional football player, the heroine is socially awkward, and THERE'S LOTS OF PUPPIES.
I can't stress enough how complete the emotional experience of this book is. I felt all the things. While there are a lot of pieces that make up great contemporary romance, that depth of feeling has always been the most important to me. I deeply understood both the main characters, and it both broke my heart, then mended it.
Plus, there were really like a ton of puppies. I loved the puppies.
I can't stress enough how complete the emotional experience of this book is. I felt all the things. While there are a lot of pieces that make up great contemporary romance, that depth of feeling has always been the most important to me. I deeply understood both the main characters, and it both broke my heart, then mended it.
Plus, there were really like a ton of puppies. I loved the puppies.
June 2, 2021
A sweet romance. Hailey is a producer for the Puppy Cup and Cole is the quarterback for the Seattle Lumberjacks, a team she's worshipped because her dad did. They meet cute but form a relationship when she agrees to help him with PR but he's got a bit of a secret- he's ready to move on from football. A former foster child, Hailey has trust issues. Somehow, they're able to meet in the middle for a little, ahem, steam. Cole's parents are a hoot, the puppy aspect is cute, and the story, while trope-y, has a nice payoff with a twist. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A light fun read.
June 29, 2021
Ruff and Tumble is a great romance novel that follows Hailey and Cole. Cole is the star quarterback for the Seattle team and Hailey works as a production assistant for the Puppy Cup. This was a refreshing take on the classic sports romance novel. Cole wanted to do something more in his life other than football and Hailey is an avid football fan. Even though I am personally not a fan of football, this book was very enjoyable with fun banter and a realistic love story.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2021
I became a fan of Lucy's books after reading her Forever Home series. She does a wonderful job writing characters you can connect with and want to see find their way together. Hailey and Cole are my favorite heroine and hero she has written. I also love how she integrates animals into each book, this time with Hailey working on the Puppy Cup. It always makes for a lot of sweet and entertaining moments.
This book had a nice mix of emotion, humor, and romance which made for an entertaining and fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for an honest review.
This book had a nice mix of emotion, humor, and romance which made for an entertaining and fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for an honest review.
June 6, 2021
Much more than a little bit of fluff about romance with a football player and a dog or two. Cute start leading me to believe this would be a light and bright romance. The back story for Hailey and the football player's issues provided angst and heart-warming moments. There is fun and lots of puppy delight also. I would have been happier without the intimate details. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.
June 20, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of 2 people falling in love with all their baggage and while they are trying to do their work. This story was told with respect for the characters as well as a sense of humour which makes this fun to read. The puppies help Cole & Hailey get to know each other as well as grow together. I certainly look forward to reading another story about this family and the football team. I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
August 9, 2021This is written by a friend, so I'm following my self-imposed rule of not rating things my friends write, but I will say that this story is very cute, and I absolutely loved the female MC. Someone compared her to Sandra Bullock's character in While You Were Sleeping, and I think it's spot-on.
If you're looking for something sweet with a little bit of heat, and you happen to adore dogs, this book is for you!
If you're looking for something sweet with a little bit of heat, and you happen to adore dogs, this book is for you!
May 30, 2021
If you're looking for a cute sport romance with interesting and compelling main characters, really adorable puppies and a bit of steam, search no further. There were things that bothered me but all in all it was a really fun read.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!
July 21, 2021
An adorable, sweet romance with football and dogs!
The characters went beyond what I normally read — they had compelling backstories. Well written, and character-driven story.
SourceBooks and Gilmore never disappoint. Thank you so much for this arc.
I received an arc of this book, and this is my honest opinion.`
The characters went beyond what I normally read — they had compelling backstories. Well written, and character-driven story.
SourceBooks and Gilmore never disappoint. Thank you so much for this arc.
I received an arc of this book, and this is my honest opinion.`
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews