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Christmas in Blue Dog Valley
For anyone who ever loved All Creatures Great and Small, Annie England Noblin's newest novel--about a big city vet transplanted to a small Wisconsin town--is pure delight as we meet aging alpacas, stump-tailed cats, goats in tutus, a vagabond border collie named Kevin, and the people who think they own them. And through it all, Goldie McKenzie, DVM, navigating the small town of Blue Dog, Wisconsin.
Welcome to Blue Dog Valley. Home of the Fighting Elk. Population 3,411.
When Goldie McKenzie, DVM, vet to the L.A. pet stars, arrives from Los Angeles to Blue Dog Valley she realizes three things.
Never agree to upend your life when you're hungover. Pot-belly pigs are not true farm animals. She's going to need a warmer coat. At first Goldie is nothing more than a fish out of water, with few clients and few friends. But after a less than pleasant encounter with a man whose dog is suffering from a possibly fatal case of bloat, she's finally earning the trust and goodwill from her fellow Blue Dog Valley citizens. Her clientele grows to include the many farm animals in the town, including a horse named Large Marge, a cape-wearing therapy alpaca, and a yardful of sweater-wearing goats. Add in Kevin, the "worst sheepdog in Blue Dog Valley," and a Sphinx cat named Airport, and Goldie is having the best time a vet can have. . . aside from the annoying attractive town grump, Cohen, who seems intent on making sure she always feels like an outsider.
With her newfound goodwill, Goldie comes up with an idea to reinvigorate the once flourishing Blue Dog Valley: a Christmas carnival. A petting zoo, pictures with Santa, a baking contest, what more could they want? After only some brief resistance from Cohen and his father, they begin the great plan to reinvigorate Blue Dog Valley.
Will Christmas be enough to salvage this dying town--and be enough to bring Goldie closer to a certain grumpy man?
Welcome to Blue Dog Valley. Home of the Fighting Elk. Population 3,411.
When Goldie McKenzie, DVM, vet to the L.A. pet stars, arrives from Los Angeles to Blue Dog Valley she realizes three things.
Never agree to upend your life when you're hungover. Pot-belly pigs are not true farm animals. She's going to need a warmer coat. At first Goldie is nothing more than a fish out of water, with few clients and few friends. But after a less than pleasant encounter with a man whose dog is suffering from a possibly fatal case of bloat, she's finally earning the trust and goodwill from her fellow Blue Dog Valley citizens. Her clientele grows to include the many farm animals in the town, including a horse named Large Marge, a cape-wearing therapy alpaca, and a yardful of sweater-wearing goats. Add in Kevin, the "worst sheepdog in Blue Dog Valley," and a Sphinx cat named Airport, and Goldie is having the best time a vet can have. . . aside from the annoying attractive town grump, Cohen, who seems intent on making sure she always feels like an outsider.
With her newfound goodwill, Goldie comes up with an idea to reinvigorate the once flourishing Blue Dog Valley: a Christmas carnival. A petting zoo, pictures with Santa, a baking contest, what more could they want? After only some brief resistance from Cohen and his father, they begin the great plan to reinvigorate Blue Dog Valley.
Will Christmas be enough to salvage this dying town--and be enough to bring Goldie closer to a certain grumpy man?
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2022
39 people are currently reading
4172 people want to read
About the author
Annie England Noblin
10 books550 followersWriter. Mother. Wife. Bulldog enthusiast. Curly hair afternoon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
December 16, 2025
This author has a great sense of humour! In my mind, she’s sitting with a friend on a bar stool, trying to get out the plot for this book between howls of laughter and tears streaming down her face. She’ll eventually get out, between fits of laughter, that one of the patients is a guinea pig with scurvy, and then whoever she’s sitting with will chug his/her beer and suggest fainting goats with tutus. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when she plots her next book!
=========================================================
Seventy-year-old Dr. Gene Saltzman and forty-year-old Dr. Marigold ‘Goldie’ McKenzie are both looking to make changes. Saltzman owns Valley Veterinary in Blue Dog Valley, Wisconsin, and wants to retire. McKenzie’s marriage has collapsed and she wants out of the joint ownership of a veterinary clinic she owns with her unfaithful husband. When McKenzie spots Saltzman’s ad, she leaves California for Wisconsin.
The sense of community is strong in this town! I like that they start decorating for Christmas on November 1st, but I love their camaraderie in saving their valley from becoming a ghost town.
The opening scene at the airport had me laughing out loud. I knew I had a winning narrative in my hands. In fact, I’ve thought about it every day since reading this book.
The animals are the stars of this story, especially Airport.
Cohen Gable and his Cairn Terrier, Peanut Butter, were wonderful additions to this story. I kept rooting for Cohen and Goldie to get together.
I liked the focus on ‘it’s never too late for second chances’.
⚠️A couple of instances of swearing. One paragraph open door scene.
=========================================================
Seventy-year-old Dr. Gene Saltzman and forty-year-old Dr. Marigold ‘Goldie’ McKenzie are both looking to make changes. Saltzman owns Valley Veterinary in Blue Dog Valley, Wisconsin, and wants to retire. McKenzie’s marriage has collapsed and she wants out of the joint ownership of a veterinary clinic she owns with her unfaithful husband. When McKenzie spots Saltzman’s ad, she leaves California for Wisconsin.
The sense of community is strong in this town! I like that they start decorating for Christmas on November 1st, but I love their camaraderie in saving their valley from becoming a ghost town.
The opening scene at the airport had me laughing out loud. I knew I had a winning narrative in my hands. In fact, I’ve thought about it every day since reading this book.
The animals are the stars of this story, especially Airport.
Cohen Gable and his Cairn Terrier, Peanut Butter, were wonderful additions to this story. I kept rooting for Cohen and Goldie to get together.
I liked the focus on ‘it’s never too late for second chances’.
⚠️A couple of instances of swearing. One paragraph open door scene.
November 28, 2022
Review to come
October 14, 2022
2.5 stars
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Blue Dog Valley, Wisconsin, had not been in Goldie's five-, ten-, or even fifteen-year plan.
As a vet to animal tv and movie stars, Goldie doesn't always love her high-maintenance clientele owners but loves the business she has worked to build up with her fiance, even if he considers it his business. At forty, Goldie is scared to start over but when her fiance of ten years, who's at least tried to keep his cheating discreet, gives his newest paramour a job as a vet tech in their business, Goldie decides that she's done. After a night of too much wine and chatting with one of her computer pen pals, Goldie is on the way to Wisconsin to do a trial run at taking over a small-town vet clinic.
It was an odd feeling, Goldie thought, to have a life full of people and still feel alone.
Christmas in Blue Dog Valley was a cute fish out of water, but game, holiday story that never lacked animals stealing the show. When Goldie arrives in Wisconsin, she's picked up by Cohen Gable, an early thirties grump and town farrier, who doesn't exactly trust outsiders and isn't ready to see his vet for years give his business over to some L.A. big city transplant. Cohen's not exactly unfriendly but he's not friendly either, but right away readers will sense the attraction between the two. Goldie was a fun character to follow along with and her friendship with her older, cantankerous vet tech Tiffany, who, begrudgingly, shows her the ropes around the small town, was a solid friendship to cheer for. The romance between Goldie and Cohen flickers in and out but Goldie starting to fit into the town was really the star of the show. This was heavier on the small-town fiction aspects than romance but even with it's Hallmark movie vibe, there was a quick, not too detailed open door scene.
If someone had told her two months ago that by the beginning of November, she'd be sitting in a shabby cabin in Wisconsin, drinking whiskey alone out of a John Deere mug, she would have laughed hysterically.
At each chapter heading, there were adorable illustrations of some of the animals, Cohen's dog Peanut Butter and his therapy alpaca Alice, and some of the tutu wearing goats. While cute little additions to the story, I thought the middle started to slow some with each addition of Goldie taking care of various animals. It works to take Goldie around the town to introduce the townspeople but even my animal loving self started to grow tired of the animal ailments interrupting what I wanted more of, the romance and holiday festivities. At around 30% Goldie saves a dog from bloat and that has the townspeople trusting her and they start to welcome her in more. Then in the second half, the story becomes more about Goldie getting roped into reviving the Christmas Carnival that holiday obsessed Blue Dog Valley used to put on, until the bypass diverted traffic away, almost killing their little town.
Goldie ran in front of him, jumping up onto the bottom porch step so that she was at eye level. “Well, I think it's probably time somebody is a thorn in your side,” she said.
“And you think you're the person to do it?” Cohen asked. “I hate to break it to you, Dr. McKenzie, but better women have tried.”
Goldie crossed her arms over her chest. “There is no woman better than me, Mr. Gable.”
“Is that right?”
“That's right.”
Cohen took a step closer to her, so close that they were nearly touching.
As Goldie is trying to organize the carnival, we get some backstory on Cohen, his mother dying when he was ten, gaining a step-mother and step-brother, only to lose his step-mother while in highschool. The alcohol and drug abuse talk, along with a pet death definitely dragged down the lighter, sweeter tone I was personally looking for, especially since it was in the latter second half and felt rushed together. I wanted to be dazzled by the Christmas carnival but the story rushed that too, I would have loved for Goldie and Cohen to spend more time walking through the winter wonderland of lights and perhaps a hay ride but we get a lost little girl and Cohen thinking Goldie lied to him about not respecting his privacy in something and overhearing her friend who came to town to visit her, calling their town “podunk holler.”
From underneath the blanket, Cohen's hand found hers, and she unfurled her fingers and let him trace constellations in her palm of her hand as he pointed each one out to her.
This delivered, what I see more as, a happy for now ending. I was looking for a little more sweet and cute but if you're looking for a woman with gumption with some fish out of water success, a few lightly touched on heavier topics, some small-town fiction dynamics, and a good amount of animals of all varieties getting some spotlight, this could be your pick and you get the bonus of Kevin the valley's worst sheepdog.
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Blue Dog Valley, Wisconsin, had not been in Goldie's five-, ten-, or even fifteen-year plan.
As a vet to animal tv and movie stars, Goldie doesn't always love her high-maintenance clientele owners but loves the business she has worked to build up with her fiance, even if he considers it his business. At forty, Goldie is scared to start over but when her fiance of ten years, who's at least tried to keep his cheating discreet, gives his newest paramour a job as a vet tech in their business, Goldie decides that she's done. After a night of too much wine and chatting with one of her computer pen pals, Goldie is on the way to Wisconsin to do a trial run at taking over a small-town vet clinic.
It was an odd feeling, Goldie thought, to have a life full of people and still feel alone.
Christmas in Blue Dog Valley was a cute fish out of water, but game, holiday story that never lacked animals stealing the show. When Goldie arrives in Wisconsin, she's picked up by Cohen Gable, an early thirties grump and town farrier, who doesn't exactly trust outsiders and isn't ready to see his vet for years give his business over to some L.A. big city transplant. Cohen's not exactly unfriendly but he's not friendly either, but right away readers will sense the attraction between the two. Goldie was a fun character to follow along with and her friendship with her older, cantankerous vet tech Tiffany, who, begrudgingly, shows her the ropes around the small town, was a solid friendship to cheer for. The romance between Goldie and Cohen flickers in and out but Goldie starting to fit into the town was really the star of the show. This was heavier on the small-town fiction aspects than romance but even with it's Hallmark movie vibe, there was a quick, not too detailed open door scene.
If someone had told her two months ago that by the beginning of November, she'd be sitting in a shabby cabin in Wisconsin, drinking whiskey alone out of a John Deere mug, she would have laughed hysterically.
At each chapter heading, there were adorable illustrations of some of the animals, Cohen's dog Peanut Butter and his therapy alpaca Alice, and some of the tutu wearing goats. While cute little additions to the story, I thought the middle started to slow some with each addition of Goldie taking care of various animals. It works to take Goldie around the town to introduce the townspeople but even my animal loving self started to grow tired of the animal ailments interrupting what I wanted more of, the romance and holiday festivities. At around 30% Goldie saves a dog from bloat and that has the townspeople trusting her and they start to welcome her in more. Then in the second half, the story becomes more about Goldie getting roped into reviving the Christmas Carnival that holiday obsessed Blue Dog Valley used to put on, until the bypass diverted traffic away, almost killing their little town.
Goldie ran in front of him, jumping up onto the bottom porch step so that she was at eye level. “Well, I think it's probably time somebody is a thorn in your side,” she said.
“And you think you're the person to do it?” Cohen asked. “I hate to break it to you, Dr. McKenzie, but better women have tried.”
Goldie crossed her arms over her chest. “There is no woman better than me, Mr. Gable.”
“Is that right?”
“That's right.”
Cohen took a step closer to her, so close that they were nearly touching.
As Goldie is trying to organize the carnival, we get some backstory on Cohen, his mother dying when he was ten, gaining a step-mother and step-brother, only to lose his step-mother while in highschool. The alcohol and drug abuse talk, along with a pet death definitely dragged down the lighter, sweeter tone I was personally looking for, especially since it was in the latter second half and felt rushed together. I wanted to be dazzled by the Christmas carnival but the story rushed that too, I would have loved for Goldie and Cohen to spend more time walking through the winter wonderland of lights and perhaps a hay ride but we get a lost little girl and Cohen thinking Goldie lied to him about not respecting his privacy in something and overhearing her friend who came to town to visit her, calling their town “podunk holler.”
From underneath the blanket, Cohen's hand found hers, and she unfurled her fingers and let him trace constellations in her palm of her hand as he pointed each one out to her.
This delivered, what I see more as, a happy for now ending. I was looking for a little more sweet and cute but if you're looking for a woman with gumption with some fish out of water success, a few lightly touched on heavier topics, some small-town fiction dynamics, and a good amount of animals of all varieties getting some spotlight, this could be your pick and you get the bonus of Kevin the valley's worst sheepdog.
December 10, 2022
I had never heard of Annie England Noblin prior to seeing Christmas in Blue Dog Valley, but if all her books are as good as this one, I have clearly been missing out! It would make a wonderful Hallmark Christmas movie if they upped the Christmas factor, and I loved the quirky characters and all of the animals. I adored Noblin's sense of humor and there were many times in this book that I was laughing out loud at the sheer hilarity of what was going on. Goldie is definitely making the list of one of my favorite characters of all time and I loved both how smart she was and the way she was able to constantly look on the bright side of things.
I have never been to LA, but I could still appreciate the experience of someone moving from there to a small town in Wisconsin since I moved from farmland Minnesota to Denver, Colorado which is also just a bit of a change! It might be a small thing, but besides the animals and Goldie, it was super fun to have the author mention Yoga With Adriene! I LOVE Adriene and that is the only yoga I will do at home, so it made me happy. It’s the small things you know?
This really was the sweetest story, and the tension between Goldie and Cohen was palpable. He was so grumpy that it was adorable, and I would for sure categorize this as a grumpy/sunshine romance. The cover is what caught my eye, but the storyline, animals, and writing are what made me truly love Christmas in Blue Dog Valley. And for anyone wondering, this isn’t over-the-top Christmas vibes either, it just so happens to be set around Christmas and involves the town celebrating it. It was really more about the characters and animals with a touch of Christmas cheer and that was fine by me.
I happened to find the audiobook on Scribd and highly recommend it if you want a new audio to listen to! Jennifer Jill Araya narrates and upon further review, I noticed that I have listened to her narration before. I had 0 complaints and I thought she and the audiobook were absolutely wonderful. I don’t usually say this about books that aren’t thrillers, but Christmas in Blue Dog Valley was such a page-turner for me and I found myself wishing it wouldn’t end (now that is reserved for non-trillers!). It was a delight to read, and I recommend it to romance readers and anyone looking for a charming holiday read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I have never been to LA, but I could still appreciate the experience of someone moving from there to a small town in Wisconsin since I moved from farmland Minnesota to Denver, Colorado which is also just a bit of a change! It might be a small thing, but besides the animals and Goldie, it was super fun to have the author mention Yoga With Adriene! I LOVE Adriene and that is the only yoga I will do at home, so it made me happy. It’s the small things you know?
This really was the sweetest story, and the tension between Goldie and Cohen was palpable. He was so grumpy that it was adorable, and I would for sure categorize this as a grumpy/sunshine romance. The cover is what caught my eye, but the storyline, animals, and writing are what made me truly love Christmas in Blue Dog Valley. And for anyone wondering, this isn’t over-the-top Christmas vibes either, it just so happens to be set around Christmas and involves the town celebrating it. It was really more about the characters and animals with a touch of Christmas cheer and that was fine by me.
I happened to find the audiobook on Scribd and highly recommend it if you want a new audio to listen to! Jennifer Jill Araya narrates and upon further review, I noticed that I have listened to her narration before. I had 0 complaints and I thought she and the audiobook were absolutely wonderful. I don’t usually say this about books that aren’t thrillers, but Christmas in Blue Dog Valley was such a page-turner for me and I found myself wishing it wouldn’t end (now that is reserved for non-trillers!). It was a delight to read, and I recommend it to romance readers and anyone looking for a charming holiday read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 28, 2022
Great story! I enjoyed the characters! Cohen was a bit of a drag, but that was just his personality. The pets are delightful, and the story is fun. Some swearing.
September 22, 2022
First of all- is this one of the cutest cover ever?!
If you are a dog lover like me, whenever a dog is on the cover, I have to investigate! This was the sweetest story and I enjoyed every single bit of it.
Read this if you love:
* small town setting
* grumpy sunshine trope
* characters who find their self-worth
*books with heart
I loved that this book featured a smart and independent main female character. I also loved that this book was light on the spice but had a good amount of romantic tension. The balance of heavier subjects and lightness felt perfect to me.
One thing I feel obliged to mention is that this book isn’t really about Christmas. It happens in a town that loves Christmas, is in the Nov-Dec time frame and spends a hot minute at the Christmas carnival the town hosts- but that is the extent of the Christmas feel. I wasn’t bothered by that- but I think it’s nice knowing that going in.
Definitely recommend this sweet, light and heartwarming story for a much needed HEA. I don’t always love an HEA- but I needed this one❤️
Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooks @harpervoyagerus for the ARC to read and review.
If you are a dog lover like me, whenever a dog is on the cover, I have to investigate! This was the sweetest story and I enjoyed every single bit of it.
Read this if you love:
* small town setting
* grumpy sunshine trope
* characters who find their self-worth
*books with heart
I loved that this book featured a smart and independent main female character. I also loved that this book was light on the spice but had a good amount of romantic tension. The balance of heavier subjects and lightness felt perfect to me.
One thing I feel obliged to mention is that this book isn’t really about Christmas. It happens in a town that loves Christmas, is in the Nov-Dec time frame and spends a hot minute at the Christmas carnival the town hosts- but that is the extent of the Christmas feel. I wasn’t bothered by that- but I think it’s nice knowing that going in.
Definitely recommend this sweet, light and heartwarming story for a much needed HEA. I don’t always love an HEA- but I needed this one❤️
Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooks @harpervoyagerus for the ARC to read and review.
January 9, 2023
Review held until the the HC strike resolution.
December 25, 2022
This was a really fun Christmas romance featuring an LA vet who comes to small town Wisconsin to take over a veterinary practice following a rough break up. Tons of cute animal side characters, a great grumpy/sunshine romance and a lot of Doc Hollywood vibes. This was the perfect feel-good holiday read I was in the mood for this season and good on audio too!
March 9, 2023
Anytime a dog is the star of a book, especially one that looks like my dog then I am on board! There’s some mild language in this but overall pretty clean and I loved the small town life!
December 15, 2022
My first book by Annie England Noblin, and I enjoyed it. Goldie McKenzie is a vet from LA that moves to the small town of Blu Dog Valley. When she first gets there, she doesn't have friends and she doesn't have many clients. But as she gains the trust of the locals in Blue Dog Valley, her client list continues to grow. Then she meets Cohen. He sure is grumpy, but he's definitely attractive. She decides to try to bring some life back to this quiet town by planning a Christmas carnival. She's hoping too, that she can get closer to Cohen.
This was a feel good book, with plenty of funny antics and filled with so many cute animals. I loved the small town feel, the hilarious moments while planning this Christmas carnival. If you love animals and feel like a heartwarming read, with just the right amount of Christmas vibes, give this a try. It was another book that is like a Hallmark Christmas movie. Maybe a little cheesy at times, but fills your heart with happy feelings!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
This was a feel good book, with plenty of funny antics and filled with so many cute animals. I loved the small town feel, the hilarious moments while planning this Christmas carnival. If you love animals and feel like a heartwarming read, with just the right amount of Christmas vibes, give this a try. It was another book that is like a Hallmark Christmas movie. Maybe a little cheesy at times, but fills your heart with happy feelings!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
December 18, 2025
Easy cheesy festive romance. Mostly read for the animal characters - Annie the alpaca and Kevin the dog were particular highlights.
October 6, 2022
This book has me wanting to move to small town Wisconsin, get a cat, AND have a goat wearing a tutu. WHO AM I?!?
Christmas in Blue Dog Valley was absolutely delightful. It had everything anyone could ever want from a holiday book -the Christmas spirit, small town, animals galore, the banter, and a determined main character! Goldie ends up buying a veterinary clinic in Wisconsin after a break up and the towns people don’t trust her one bit -they much prefer for things to stay the same. She soon realizes that she’ll have to prove herself to everyone except the woman who makes the best cinnamon rolls in the area!
The towns people really made this book extra special -from everyone working together on the festival, to the bickering sisters, and the ever-so-handsome Cohen…I couldn’t get enough.
I could 100% see this book being turned into a movie and if it does -the goats better be in tutu’s! 😂
Christmas in Blue Dog Valley was absolutely delightful. It had everything anyone could ever want from a holiday book -the Christmas spirit, small town, animals galore, the banter, and a determined main character! Goldie ends up buying a veterinary clinic in Wisconsin after a break up and the towns people don’t trust her one bit -they much prefer for things to stay the same. She soon realizes that she’ll have to prove herself to everyone except the woman who makes the best cinnamon rolls in the area!
The towns people really made this book extra special -from everyone working together on the festival, to the bickering sisters, and the ever-so-handsome Cohen…I couldn’t get enough.
I could 100% see this book being turned into a movie and if it does -the goats better be in tutu’s! 😂
November 19, 2023
good book
I really liked this lighter,contemporary romance.
A few threads of more serious topics, but not too serious. There were many cute one-liners that kept me chuckling throughout.
I liked the town of Blue Dog Valley and the full cast of characters. I really liked Goldie and I think she will fit right in. This has enough material that it could easily have a follow up with her adventures as a small-town vet.
I am knocking off .5 stars because there were inclusions of foul language that, while not often, were added enough that it was jarring and didn’t seem to fit with the overall feeling of the book, and several almost seemed forced. They could easily be excluded and no one would know the difference. I was just surprised, that’s all.
4.5/5 stars
I really liked this lighter,contemporary romance.
A few threads of more serious topics, but not too serious. There were many cute one-liners that kept me chuckling throughout.
I liked the town of Blue Dog Valley and the full cast of characters. I really liked Goldie and I think she will fit right in. This has enough material that it could easily have a follow up with her adventures as a small-town vet.
I am knocking off .5 stars because there were inclusions of foul language that, while not often, were added enough that it was jarring and didn’t seem to fit with the overall feeling of the book, and several almost seemed forced. They could easily be excluded and no one would know the difference. I was just surprised, that’s all.
4.5/5 stars
September 7, 2022
Starting life over during the holiday season in a small town was not on Goldie's to-do list, but when she finally decided to call it quits with her cheating fiancee that's exactly where she finds herself.
Not only does Goldie win the hearts of the residents in Blue Dog Valley she also wins in love. Christmas in Blue Dog Valley by Annie England Noblin is a fantastic way to kick off the holiday reading season. It's a feel-good kind of read that will make you smile.
~Tanja
*Thank you to @Avon and @aenoblin for sharing this title with me!
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Not only does Goldie win the hearts of the residents in Blue Dog Valley she also wins in love. Christmas in Blue Dog Valley by Annie England Noblin is a fantastic way to kick off the holiday reading season. It's a feel-good kind of read that will make you smile.
~Tanja
*Thank you to @Avon and @aenoblin for sharing this title with me!
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December 3, 2022
3.5 rounded up
December 4, 2022
3-1/2 stars rounded up to 4.
I really enjoyed this story of an L.A. veterinarian who moves to a small town in Wisconsin to run the clinic on a trial basis and see if she wants to permanently take over the town vet moniker.
The book is filled with great characters of both the two - and four-legged variety and takes place during the holiday season. It's not in your face schmaltzy, but definitely does provide for some Hallmark moments.
Glad this impulse buy was a part of my holiday season reading collection, as it was very entertaining.
I really enjoyed this story of an L.A. veterinarian who moves to a small town in Wisconsin to run the clinic on a trial basis and see if she wants to permanently take over the town vet moniker.
The book is filled with great characters of both the two - and four-legged variety and takes place during the holiday season. It's not in your face schmaltzy, but definitely does provide for some Hallmark moments.
Glad this impulse buy was a part of my holiday season reading collection, as it was very entertaining.
November 25, 2022
Sweet Christmas romance, dogs, cats and alpacas.
October 14, 2022
This was the cutest romance ever. I totally fell in love with this story. The synopsis says it best, “Christmas in Blue Dog Valley by Annie England Noblin is a delightful small-town holiday novel that’s bound to warm your heart with hilarious animal antics and Hallmark movie charm.” Christmas in Blue Dog Valley is the perfect feel-good holiday novel that readers won’t want to miss. It’s the perfect addition to any upcoming holiday or Christmas-in-July roundups!” I couldn’t agree more with those statements. Whoever wrote those remarks were spot on.
I personally love Hallmark movies, so this book was my cup of tea. Speaking of tea, I wish I could sample some of Cohen’s cider. It sounded delicious. Cohen is the hero, and he is kind of standoffish but in a comical way. Goldie, the heroine, has no problem speaking up for herself, especially when Cohen is in a ‘grumpy’ mood. Together they make Wisconsin warm and fuzzy. The winter setting with all the snow was refreshing to read since it’s currently toasty where I live.
The prologue immediately caught my attention making me continue onto Chapter one and so on. I actually couldn’t stop until I reached the end of the story. It was that good. The cast of characters in the small town wee well developed and relatable. In fact, I wish I could meet them and all their pets too. I’d love it if book two came out quickly since I fell in love with everyone in the small town of Blue Dog Valley. If this was a real destination, then I’d put in on my list to go visit someday.
The plot was creative, original and genuinely heartwarming. I personally felt there was an inspirational message of forgiveness threaded throughout the story. The acts of the townsfolk made for the perfect Christmas message, Peace on earth and goodwill to all men.
I’ve never read a book by Annie England Noblin but after reading this story, I’m interested to read another book by her. What else can I say other than this is a must read. I hope you love it as much as I did.
I personally love Hallmark movies, so this book was my cup of tea. Speaking of tea, I wish I could sample some of Cohen’s cider. It sounded delicious. Cohen is the hero, and he is kind of standoffish but in a comical way. Goldie, the heroine, has no problem speaking up for herself, especially when Cohen is in a ‘grumpy’ mood. Together they make Wisconsin warm and fuzzy. The winter setting with all the snow was refreshing to read since it’s currently toasty where I live.
The prologue immediately caught my attention making me continue onto Chapter one and so on. I actually couldn’t stop until I reached the end of the story. It was that good. The cast of characters in the small town wee well developed and relatable. In fact, I wish I could meet them and all their pets too. I’d love it if book two came out quickly since I fell in love with everyone in the small town of Blue Dog Valley. If this was a real destination, then I’d put in on my list to go visit someday.
The plot was creative, original and genuinely heartwarming. I personally felt there was an inspirational message of forgiveness threaded throughout the story. The acts of the townsfolk made for the perfect Christmas message, Peace on earth and goodwill to all men.
I’ve never read a book by Annie England Noblin but after reading this story, I’m interested to read another book by her. What else can I say other than this is a must read. I hope you love it as much as I did.
November 22, 2022
3 and a half stars. Way too many swear words for a cute Christmas story. And it was cute! Big city vet moves to a struggling small town to start over, trying to get her footing and business going at the start of the Christmas season
February 3, 2023
Perfect for holiday stress-free reading. The tutu wearing goat was the icing on the frequently mentioned cinnamon rolls.
August 6, 2022
Christmas in Blue Dog Valley by Annie England Noblin
Avon
September 20, 2022
DMV Marigold McKenzie AKA Goldie leaves Los Angeles after spending ten years sharing a home and practice with her fiancé, Brandon Burrows, the man she once thought she would marry, but they have started living separate lives.
"They had an unspoken agreement, she and Brandon. He cheated on her as often as he liked, and Goldie pretended not to notice. She didn't like the fighting and the making up and the broken promises to never do it again. It was easier to act like everything was fine. It was easier to ignore it, to go on with life as it was, and Goldie didn't know what happened that changed it all, what broke inside of her."
Turns out the vet tech, Romy, hired by Brandon, becomes his mistress, and neither tries to hide the affair. A mishap happens in the office between Goldie and Romy, and Goldie finds out how things really stand between her and Brandon when he says, "'It's my clinic,' Brandon replied. . . . 'You just work there.'
"Goldie felt as if she's been punched in the gut. For nearly the past decade, she'd been part of every single decision made at the clinic. She'd been there during the hard days and late nights. She'd sat with clients after their pet died, and they needed comfort. She'd not taken a salary for a year after they'd been sued by a client angry about the untimely death of their cat, because most of the money was tied up in lawyers. She'd celebrated with Brandon when they'd won the suit, largely in part due to her father's connections.'
"But as far as Brandon was concerned, she just worked there. Goldie guessed she'd known all along."
There is a saying that goes, "This is the straw that broke the camel's back," and Goldie knows a change is greatly needed.
Goldie learns about an animal hospital for sale in Blue Dog Valley, Wisconsin, so she contacts the owner, 70-year-old Dr. Gene Saltzman about taking over his practice. As a native Californian, she realizes this is a huge step to take, but she wants something totally different. They have a gentlemen's agreement where Goldie will take over on a trial basis until the beginning of the new year and if things don't work out, so be it.
Goldie arrives at the Milwaukee airport, dressed in California attire in November. Unaccustomed to the frigid weather, she shivers while waiting for Dr. Saltzman. Baggage is dispatched, and Goldie remains until nothing is left on the conveyor belt—that is except, a cat in a carrier. Seems someone abandoned the kitty, and she considers maybe she has been, too. Goldie, an animal lover, decides to take it with her it. As she lingers, she talks to the feline. Someone clears his throat, embarrassing her. He introduces himself as Cohen Gable, stating he's been sent to pick her up. On the two-hour drive from the airport, they start off on the wrong foot, and Goldie cannot wait to be rid of this cantankerous man who is around her age.
He teases her about being a "rich, hot California babe" now coming to the wilderness and bets she won't last a week. He laughs at the high heels and lightweight clothes she is wearing.
They arrive in town and Cohen drops her, her luggage, and the abandoned cat at the clinic stating there's a small cabin behind the hospital that is to be her new home. Dr. Saltzman left her a letter offering information about her quarters and the business saying it opens at 8:00 a.m. and she will meet Tiffany, his right-hand gal.
She is awakened the next morning by the cat hissing on her pillow and spying a huge dog in the living room. What the heck? A woman three times the size of the canine flings open the door and yells at the pooch she calls Kevin.
With a scowl on her face, the woman informs Goldie she is late. Uh-oh, Goldie thinks, this must be Tiffany, and by the look on her face, she thinks it will be difficult fitting in here. Tiffany is the intruder and states Kevin is a roamer around the town, and because the lock doesn't work, he often comes inside to sleep.
Tiffany is a hard nut to break, and it appears she wants nothing to do with the newcomer. She acts as if the animal hospital is hers and tells Goldie what to do. Not wanting to make any more enemies, she placates the older woman by offering to pick up some coffee. At Ruby's Diner, the scent of cinnamon buns makes her salivate, and she orders them to go along with the beverages. Ruby automatically strikes up a friendly conversation, pleasing Goldie that someone in the tiny village is welcoming. She considers heading back to CA, but she promised Dr. Saltzman, and she always follows through.
Time passes, and Goldie gets caught up in small-town living. She is called to a farm to help a horse with an abscessed hoof. Cohen shows up later, none too happy to see her. He is a farrier and plans to help, though her expertise is greater than his. She heals the horse, who belongs to the mayor, and he spreads the word around town about how good she is.
The small village makes always makes a huge deal out of Christmas and decorates long before Thanksgiving. Goldie arrives home after work and finds several of the town's folk decorating her house. She finally feels accepted. Tiffany insists she go to the local meeting pertaining to their annual Christmas parade, an event that once had a huge attendance. Due to the state putting in a new highway extension diverting access to Big Dog Valley, fewer people come and the town is dying. Goldie offers suggestions as to how to draw in visitors by including a carnival. Little does she know this whole affair will get dumped in her lap, but by being involved, she finds the residents embrace her, and she begins loving her new home, despite the fact that she is always freezing.
Her only obstacle is Cohen, who is against everything she suggests. She wonders if they will ever become friends. Through the grapevine, Goldie learns of Cohen's painful past, so she tries not to let his attitude toward her affect her.
Will Goldie stay in the now-friendly town and take over the animal clinic for good or will she run back to Los Angeles with her tail tucked between her legs? Will she and Cohen ever come to terms with each other?
This novel offers humor, excitement, and fun, and can be enjoyed any time of year.
Avon
September 20, 2022
DMV Marigold McKenzie AKA Goldie leaves Los Angeles after spending ten years sharing a home and practice with her fiancé, Brandon Burrows, the man she once thought she would marry, but they have started living separate lives.
"They had an unspoken agreement, she and Brandon. He cheated on her as often as he liked, and Goldie pretended not to notice. She didn't like the fighting and the making up and the broken promises to never do it again. It was easier to act like everything was fine. It was easier to ignore it, to go on with life as it was, and Goldie didn't know what happened that changed it all, what broke inside of her."
Turns out the vet tech, Romy, hired by Brandon, becomes his mistress, and neither tries to hide the affair. A mishap happens in the office between Goldie and Romy, and Goldie finds out how things really stand between her and Brandon when he says, "'It's my clinic,' Brandon replied. . . . 'You just work there.'
"Goldie felt as if she's been punched in the gut. For nearly the past decade, she'd been part of every single decision made at the clinic. She'd been there during the hard days and late nights. She'd sat with clients after their pet died, and they needed comfort. She'd not taken a salary for a year after they'd been sued by a client angry about the untimely death of their cat, because most of the money was tied up in lawyers. She'd celebrated with Brandon when they'd won the suit, largely in part due to her father's connections.'
"But as far as Brandon was concerned, she just worked there. Goldie guessed she'd known all along."
There is a saying that goes, "This is the straw that broke the camel's back," and Goldie knows a change is greatly needed.
Goldie learns about an animal hospital for sale in Blue Dog Valley, Wisconsin, so she contacts the owner, 70-year-old Dr. Gene Saltzman about taking over his practice. As a native Californian, she realizes this is a huge step to take, but she wants something totally different. They have a gentlemen's agreement where Goldie will take over on a trial basis until the beginning of the new year and if things don't work out, so be it.
Goldie arrives at the Milwaukee airport, dressed in California attire in November. Unaccustomed to the frigid weather, she shivers while waiting for Dr. Saltzman. Baggage is dispatched, and Goldie remains until nothing is left on the conveyor belt—that is except, a cat in a carrier. Seems someone abandoned the kitty, and she considers maybe she has been, too. Goldie, an animal lover, decides to take it with her it. As she lingers, she talks to the feline. Someone clears his throat, embarrassing her. He introduces himself as Cohen Gable, stating he's been sent to pick her up. On the two-hour drive from the airport, they start off on the wrong foot, and Goldie cannot wait to be rid of this cantankerous man who is around her age.
He teases her about being a "rich, hot California babe" now coming to the wilderness and bets she won't last a week. He laughs at the high heels and lightweight clothes she is wearing.
They arrive in town and Cohen drops her, her luggage, and the abandoned cat at the clinic stating there's a small cabin behind the hospital that is to be her new home. Dr. Saltzman left her a letter offering information about her quarters and the business saying it opens at 8:00 a.m. and she will meet Tiffany, his right-hand gal.
She is awakened the next morning by the cat hissing on her pillow and spying a huge dog in the living room. What the heck? A woman three times the size of the canine flings open the door and yells at the pooch she calls Kevin.
With a scowl on her face, the woman informs Goldie she is late. Uh-oh, Goldie thinks, this must be Tiffany, and by the look on her face, she thinks it will be difficult fitting in here. Tiffany is the intruder and states Kevin is a roamer around the town, and because the lock doesn't work, he often comes inside to sleep.
Tiffany is a hard nut to break, and it appears she wants nothing to do with the newcomer. She acts as if the animal hospital is hers and tells Goldie what to do. Not wanting to make any more enemies, she placates the older woman by offering to pick up some coffee. At Ruby's Diner, the scent of cinnamon buns makes her salivate, and she orders them to go along with the beverages. Ruby automatically strikes up a friendly conversation, pleasing Goldie that someone in the tiny village is welcoming. She considers heading back to CA, but she promised Dr. Saltzman, and she always follows through.
Time passes, and Goldie gets caught up in small-town living. She is called to a farm to help a horse with an abscessed hoof. Cohen shows up later, none too happy to see her. He is a farrier and plans to help, though her expertise is greater than his. She heals the horse, who belongs to the mayor, and he spreads the word around town about how good she is.
The small village makes always makes a huge deal out of Christmas and decorates long before Thanksgiving. Goldie arrives home after work and finds several of the town's folk decorating her house. She finally feels accepted. Tiffany insists she go to the local meeting pertaining to their annual Christmas parade, an event that once had a huge attendance. Due to the state putting in a new highway extension diverting access to Big Dog Valley, fewer people come and the town is dying. Goldie offers suggestions as to how to draw in visitors by including a carnival. Little does she know this whole affair will get dumped in her lap, but by being involved, she finds the residents embrace her, and she begins loving her new home, despite the fact that she is always freezing.
Her only obstacle is Cohen, who is against everything she suggests. She wonders if they will ever become friends. Through the grapevine, Goldie learns of Cohen's painful past, so she tries not to let his attitude toward her affect her.
Will Goldie stay in the now-friendly town and take over the animal clinic for good or will she run back to Los Angeles with her tail tucked between her legs? Will she and Cohen ever come to terms with each other?
This novel offers humor, excitement, and fun, and can be enjoyed any time of year.
December 17, 2022
On the cover of this novel about a veterinarian, it says “Feel-good fiction at its finest”. I am so sorry to say it is fiction at its tackiest. The veterinarian from California buys her own practice in Wisconsin after becoming drunk and she doesn’t even remember the details of her purchase. Marigold McKenzie is her name, and she’s really the only fully developed character in the story. The story does become a wee bit better as the novel progresses, and Goldie naturally falls in love with a client after she makes her dreaded move. I’m telling you, this is not the typical life of a veterinarian.
November 19, 2022
At around the age of 40 Goldie McKenzie is looking for a fresh start after ending a long relationship with an unfaithful lover who was also her boss at a veterinary clinic in California. In November, before winter really sets in, she accepts a trial offer of two months from Dr. Gene Saltzman, a soon to be retiring owner of the Valley Veterinary in Blue Dog Valley, Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Goldie receives a cold shoulder from almost everyone including her vet tech Tiffany, except for Ruby, the bakery owner and a local dog named Kevin. After she helps some animals in emergency situations, some of the town soften their stance. The town has been cut off by a new bypass and the town has lost revenue, but the town still loves to celebrate Christmas in a mighty way. When Goldie discovers the annual Christmas parade has flopped in recent years, she offers to help with a Christmas Carnival that has some people in town inspired. There is a bit of romance with a grumpy local and new friendships are formed to make this a fun novel for animal lovers and those who like second chances to succeed.
December 29, 2024
Super cute hallmark style book. Pretty clean, one half page of mild spice but she kept it pg-13. Loved that the main character fled LA for Wisconsin. But I did catch a few inaccurate WI references being a native Wisconsinite. Ordered a side with their burgers at the town diner, chose onion rings vs cheese curds, and didn’t even ask for a side of ranch, gasp! Also called country people hillbillies. Here we call them hicks or townies. Just fun little catches being that I’m from Wisconsin and not many books take place here. All jokes aside, over all a great light winter read. Liked it so much 1/4 of the way through I immediately requested two more books from this author to enjoy over winter break!
November 23, 2022
This is exactly what I needed to listen to at the office the day before Thanksgiving. The story is super cute and drags you in right away to Blue Dog Valley, a town not ready for an outsider. Goldie is the perfect new addition to the town, finding herself as she helps revitalize the town. I loved all the animals included in the story (and the residents, too). A great feel-good Christmas story.
January 18, 2025
First print read of 2025 did not disappoint. I went between 4 and 5 stars. So I guess I could land on 4.5. Goldie might be a new favorite character of mine. Growing up in WI and loving Hallmark type books and movies, this book reeled me in. It could totally be a big city to small community movie on Hallmark Channel. I giggled, my heart raced, I got mad at Cohen, and then loved Cohen again. The characters all were lovable in their own way and yet they were all so different. 📖
September 12, 2022
Wonderful story!
When Goldie makes an offer to buy a vet clinic in Blue Dog Valley, Wisconsin, she's a bit drunk, a lot emotional and not sure what she's gotten herself into! Especially when she arrives at the airport, adopts a cat that was abandoned on the luggage carousel, and instead of the kindly old vet she is expecting to pick her up, she finds a grouchy but gorgeous Cohen. After the two hour drive from the airport to Blue Dog Valley, she finds out even more that Dr. Saltzman, current owner of the clinic, "forgot" to tell Goldie, like the fact that there's a huge dog, labeled as the worst sheepdog ever named Kevin who sometimes lives in her house.
As Goldie gets to know the town and its residents, she manages to get to know them and finally starts to feel accepted once she is selected to run the town's Christmas carnival, in hopes of reviving the town's economy. She also gets to know Cohen a lot better!
This book is a great combination of small town, Christmas magic, cute animals (alpacas, anyone?), friendship and relationships. I really enjoyed it and I think you will, too!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
When Goldie makes an offer to buy a vet clinic in Blue Dog Valley, Wisconsin, she's a bit drunk, a lot emotional and not sure what she's gotten herself into! Especially when she arrives at the airport, adopts a cat that was abandoned on the luggage carousel, and instead of the kindly old vet she is expecting to pick her up, she finds a grouchy but gorgeous Cohen. After the two hour drive from the airport to Blue Dog Valley, she finds out even more that Dr. Saltzman, current owner of the clinic, "forgot" to tell Goldie, like the fact that there's a huge dog, labeled as the worst sheepdog ever named Kevin who sometimes lives in her house.
As Goldie gets to know the town and its residents, she manages to get to know them and finally starts to feel accepted once she is selected to run the town's Christmas carnival, in hopes of reviving the town's economy. She also gets to know Cohen a lot better!
This book is a great combination of small town, Christmas magic, cute animals (alpacas, anyone?), friendship and relationships. I really enjoyed it and I think you will, too!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
October 14, 2022
With its small town heart and humor, this was the holiday read I needed.
October 18, 2022
Such a cute read. Made my heart all warm and fuzzy. A great book to read when you just want to curl up, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, and be cozy.
December 23, 2024
hallmark christmas in a book
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