What do you think?
Rate this book
Rebel Boys and Rescue Dogs, or Things That Kiss with Teeth
A young adult romantic comedy that will appeal to fans of 10 Things I Hate About You and Jenn Bennett’s Alex, Approximately .
Seventeen-year-old Brynn Riley is on a hundred committees, has earned teacher’s pet in practically every class she’s ever taken, and is on track to make valedictorian.
But one night, Brynn makes a mistake. A big one.
Why wouldn’t the cops show up on the one night she’s ever cut loose in her life? Why wouldn’t she be assigned community service for one tiny mistake? And why, of all things, wouldn’t a boy from school happen to work at the pitbull rescue where she chooses to do her community service hours?
Oliver West’s dad owns the rescue. And Oliver works there as his second in command. And Brynn and Oliver both know that she absolutely screwed him out of a major scholarship opportunity at school earlier in the semester. If he tells anyone at school that she was arrested, everything she’s worked so hard for will be disappear.
If Brynn doesn’t want her secret spilled, she’d better start taking Oliver seriously. He’ll keep quiet if she helps him get another shot at the scholarship project (since she ruined it, after all).
As the two get closer, the stakes begin to shift. Brynn starts to want Oliver for more than the community service checkmark that will give her back her squeaky-clean record, and Oliver, as it turns out, takes Brynn Riley very, very seriously. But, well . . . you know what they say: Nothing brings people together like blackmail, pitbulls, and court-ordered community service.
Seventeen-year-old Brynn Riley is on a hundred committees, has earned teacher’s pet in practically every class she’s ever taken, and is on track to make valedictorian.
But one night, Brynn makes a mistake. A big one.
Why wouldn’t the cops show up on the one night she’s ever cut loose in her life? Why wouldn’t she be assigned community service for one tiny mistake? And why, of all things, wouldn’t a boy from school happen to work at the pitbull rescue where she chooses to do her community service hours?
Oliver West’s dad owns the rescue. And Oliver works there as his second in command. And Brynn and Oliver both know that she absolutely screwed him out of a major scholarship opportunity at school earlier in the semester. If he tells anyone at school that she was arrested, everything she’s worked so hard for will be disappear.
If Brynn doesn’t want her secret spilled, she’d better start taking Oliver seriously. He’ll keep quiet if she helps him get another shot at the scholarship project (since she ruined it, after all).
As the two get closer, the stakes begin to shift. Brynn starts to want Oliver for more than the community service checkmark that will give her back her squeaky-clean record, and Oliver, as it turns out, takes Brynn Riley very, very seriously. But, well . . . you know what they say: Nothing brings people together like blackmail, pitbulls, and court-ordered community service.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 2022
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 21, 2022
One more thing: I just noticed that the blurb says this is a romantic comedy. Romantic comedy? WTAF. This isn't a comedy, it isn't funny AT ALL, not even mildly humorous. Like, not even a little bit. The tone is consistently serious. I actually found it to be something of a downer. "Romantic comedy" it is not.
______
I'm always glad to see YA romance with queer rep — in this case the 1st-person MC is a cishet girl and the love interest is a trans boy — but sometimes I'm at a loss for how to rate it fairly. Like, 4 stars for just existing, right? But while this was interesting enough, with an original premise and distinctive characters, I just... didn't like them very much, I guess.
The story kicks off with a shameful dereliction of duty on Brynn's part, which Oliver then ruthlessly blackmails her for. It felt icky to me, so it was difficult to root for them as individuals, much less as a couple. I had some other issues, but they were me-things that tend to surface whenever I read contemporary YA. I have much better luck with cross-genre YA (e.g. fantasy, science fiction, mystery, historical) than I do with plain old modern-day stuff like this.
I feel like I can't rate it higher than 3 stars. Well, 2 would probably be more honest, but I'm going to spring for 3 because I love the cover. I'm positive there are readers out there who would appreciate it more, and I hope it finds them, but it just wasn't the right book for me.
______
I'm always glad to see YA romance with queer rep — in this case the 1st-person MC is a cishet girl and the love interest is a trans boy — but sometimes I'm at a loss for how to rate it fairly. Like, 4 stars for just existing, right? But while this was interesting enough, with an original premise and distinctive characters, I just... didn't like them very much, I guess.
The story kicks off with a shameful dereliction of duty on Brynn's part, which Oliver then ruthlessly blackmails her for. It felt icky to me, so it was difficult to root for them as individuals, much less as a couple. I had some other issues, but they were me-things that tend to surface whenever I read contemporary YA. I have much better luck with cross-genre YA (e.g. fantasy, science fiction, mystery, historical) than I do with plain old modern-day stuff like this.
I feel like I can't rate it higher than 3 stars. Well, 2 would probably be more honest, but I'm going to spring for 3 because I love the cover. I'm positive there are readers out there who would appreciate it more, and I hope it finds them, but it just wasn't the right book for me.
December 30, 2022
Shrum is a must-buy author for me, and RB&RD did not disappoint! The main characters have SO much depth and both have faults, but as you get to know them, you just want to pull them close and let them be happy. I admit this is my first trans love story, and I appreciate the care and attention Shrum takes with their relationship.
The heat is swoony, the dialogue is smart and biting, and the DOGS ARE WONDERFUL. Highly recommend!
The heat is swoony, the dialogue is smart and biting, and the DOGS ARE WONDERFUL. Highly recommend!
October 16, 2023
I'm not sure why this was listed as a comedy since there isn't much humor and the topics are pretty heavy.
Maybe I'm just old, but I hated the writing style. It was clunky and unnatural. Some. Sentences. Were. Written. Like. This. I know it was for emphasis, but it drove me crazy.
It also really bothered me that Oliver was transgender and that wasn't in the description, even though it wasn't a surprise to the heroine. I think that should be made clear to the reader in advance.
Maybe I'm just old, but I hated the writing style. It was clunky and unnatural. Some. Sentences. Were. Written. Like. This. I know it was for emphasis, but it drove me crazy.
It also really bothered me that Oliver was transgender and that wasn't in the description, even though it wasn't a surprise to the heroine. I think that should be made clear to the reader in advance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2022
I'm a fan of Shrum's books. Don't take this 3 star review negatively as I feel there were a lot of positives in this book, but it just missed my unscientific criteria for 4 whole stars.
To start, Brynn Riley is a good kid despite her family's reputation. Apparently just before the book started, Brynn spilled a burrito on her shirt and got beans on her chest. It was a confusing start for me - I had actually re-read the 1st chapter after I finished the book. The beginning could have used more finesse, but despite that I enjoyed the book. While it seems Brynn's older siblings have a reputation and her dad is in jail, her mom is a hardworking CNA at the hospital and her siblings help out so Brynn can do her extra curiculas and apply for college - the first Riley to go to college. Her reputation is everything to her, so when she gets caught tossing an applicant's proposal for a grant she's to review, she goes to a party with her best friend Alisha. Where she takes exactly 1 sip of disgusting beer before she's caught by the police and arrested. She decides to plead guilty with their diversion program for 1st time offenders (minor in possession) and serve community service to get her record expunged.
Brynn selects an animal shelter for pitt bulls and coon cats, which is maybe a 30 minute drive but she is car less so a 2 1/2 hour bus ride away- not exactly ideal but she doesn't want anyone to find out she was arrested and forced to serve community service. Turns out the owner's son is Oliver West, the student whose proposal she tossed without reading. We never learn really why Brynn was flippant about him. Oliver plays basketball and is supposedly a "bad boy". Because he was in juvie. Anyway Oliver is a real dick to Brynn at first and blackmails her to get his spot in the grant competition. Oliver wants to offer housing and work training to the transgender population in South Carolina. Oliver himself is part of the trans community and his dad and step-dad are supportive of him living his truth. Brynn is really good at HVAC and cars. It seems a clear choice for her to enter a trade instead of college. Their relationship changes from enemy to lovers basically because they help each other.
It was hard to understand how Brynn felt ashamed of her family while they were definitely unconventional, and yes she lives in a trailer home but they've made it home. The importance she places on her reputation might be more understandable if we saw more of her family but all they do is hang out and watch cheesy reality TV shows. Not exactly scandalous, they all have jobs. Also she has a hangup about her dad but we don't learn much about that relationship in the present, only that her dad was the one who got her interested in HVAC and she is responsible for keeping their home cool in the summer and warm in the winter without excessive bills- she has a knack for diagnosing the problem and fixing it without a lot of money.
I don't love that the relationship between Brynn and Oliver started based upon something selfish she did and he blackmailed her, knowing how important her reputation was to her. I do like the LGBTQ representation, particularly that she's a cishet dating a trans teenage boy. She and Alisha have a good friendship, and being on Student Council and getting good grades, she could have gotten a scholarship for college even without winning the grant. While it makes sense that doing HVAC makes her happy and college isn't for everyone, we started the book with her single purpose to get scholarship for college to get a better life. One that her family supports. So deciding college isn't for her felt like a 180 because she gave up her spot for the grant competition.
3.25/5☆
To start, Brynn Riley is a good kid despite her family's reputation. Apparently just before the book started, Brynn spilled a burrito on her shirt and got beans on her chest. It was a confusing start for me - I had actually re-read the 1st chapter after I finished the book. The beginning could have used more finesse, but despite that I enjoyed the book. While it seems Brynn's older siblings have a reputation and her dad is in jail, her mom is a hardworking CNA at the hospital and her siblings help out so Brynn can do her extra curiculas and apply for college - the first Riley to go to college. Her reputation is everything to her, so when she gets caught tossing an applicant's proposal for a grant she's to review, she goes to a party with her best friend Alisha. Where she takes exactly 1 sip of disgusting beer before she's caught by the police and arrested. She decides to plead guilty with their diversion program for 1st time offenders (minor in possession) and serve community service to get her record expunged.
Brynn selects an animal shelter for pitt bulls and coon cats, which is maybe a 30 minute drive but she is car less so a 2 1/2 hour bus ride away- not exactly ideal but she doesn't want anyone to find out she was arrested and forced to serve community service. Turns out the owner's son is Oliver West, the student whose proposal she tossed without reading. We never learn really why Brynn was flippant about him. Oliver plays basketball and is supposedly a "bad boy". Because he was in juvie. Anyway Oliver is a real dick to Brynn at first and blackmails her to get his spot in the grant competition. Oliver wants to offer housing and work training to the transgender population in South Carolina. Oliver himself is part of the trans community and his dad and step-dad are supportive of him living his truth. Brynn is really good at HVAC and cars. It seems a clear choice for her to enter a trade instead of college. Their relationship changes from enemy to lovers basically because they help each other.
It was hard to understand how Brynn felt ashamed of her family while they were definitely unconventional, and yes she lives in a trailer home but they've made it home. The importance she places on her reputation might be more understandable if we saw more of her family but all they do is hang out and watch cheesy reality TV shows. Not exactly scandalous, they all have jobs. Also she has a hangup about her dad but we don't learn much about that relationship in the present, only that her dad was the one who got her interested in HVAC and she is responsible for keeping their home cool in the summer and warm in the winter without excessive bills- she has a knack for diagnosing the problem and fixing it without a lot of money.
I don't love that the relationship between Brynn and Oliver started based upon something selfish she did and he blackmailed her, knowing how important her reputation was to her. I do like the LGBTQ representation, particularly that she's a cishet dating a trans teenage boy. She and Alisha have a good friendship, and being on Student Council and getting good grades, she could have gotten a scholarship for college even without winning the grant. While it makes sense that doing HVAC makes her happy and college isn't for everyone, we started the book with her single purpose to get scholarship for college to get a better life. One that her family supports. So deciding college isn't for her felt like a 180 because she gave up her spot for the grant competition.
3.25/5☆
November 16, 2022
I liked this one! It's short, but it has a lot of heart. I appreciate that it features a less-than-perfect protagonist who has to come to terms with her imperfections to find her way in life; she is not always the most likeable character, but she does feel very real. This is also the first book I've read where the main love interest was trans—I don't think that detail was ever mentioned in the summary anywhere (thought the awesome dedication was certainly a hint), and it made for a nice surprise. I really liked how the author treated the character as totally normal. Yes, trans issues were touched upon, but they weren't the cornerstone of the book. This isn't a trans book; it's a book that just happens to feature a trans character, and what do you know—it works as great as any heteronormative romance. I wish more authors would do this.
(side note, because I'm sure someone will read that the wrong way—I also like trans books that do deep dives on trans issues and firsthand accounts of trans experiences. those are phenomenal. extremely necessary, especially in today's political climate. we always need more of those, too. I just like seeing trans characters getting even more exposure beyond that, and not just as two-bit side characters that don't add much to a story beyond a shallow display of diversity)
Anyyyyhoo, I also appreciated the fact that this was a much more serious and bittersweet book than I was expecting (but! key point: not tragic, and not maudlin).I'll admit that I was a little worried about the dog rescue aspect, as I am very much not a dog person, and especially since rescue dog people in particular can sometimes be a very specific kind of crazy. But I thought it was actually quite well done. It played just enough of a role to advance Brynn's story without distracting from it or turning this into a manifesto, and I really did feel a soft spot for Frankie and Brynn's interactions with him. So even if you're not big on dogs or pitbulls, you really shouldn't have much of an issue with this part of the book.
Overall, it makes for a very satisfying read. I think there were some elements that could have gotten more time and been more fleshed out, but I'd rather a lean and complete story like this rather than something overly long and bloated with pointless introspective filler text any day of the week.
(side note, because I'm sure someone will read that the wrong way—I also like trans books that do deep dives on trans issues and firsthand accounts of trans experiences. those are phenomenal. extremely necessary, especially in today's political climate. we always need more of those, too. I just like seeing trans characters getting even more exposure beyond that, and not just as two-bit side characters that don't add much to a story beyond a shallow display of diversity)
Anyyyyhoo, I also appreciated the fact that this was a much more serious and bittersweet book than I was expecting (but! key point: not tragic, and not maudlin).I'll admit that I was a little worried about the dog rescue aspect, as I am very much not a dog person, and especially since rescue dog people in particular can sometimes be a very specific kind of crazy. But I thought it was actually quite well done. It played just enough of a role to advance Brynn's story without distracting from it or turning this into a manifesto, and I really did feel a soft spot for Frankie and Brynn's interactions with him. So even if you're not big on dogs or pitbulls, you really shouldn't have much of an issue with this part of the book.
Overall, it makes for a very satisfying read. I think there were some elements that could have gotten more time and been more fleshed out, but I'd rather a lean and complete story like this rather than something overly long and bloated with pointless introspective filler text any day of the week.
August 13, 2022
YA Rom Com: Brynn is an overachiever in all her classes, extracurricular activities and committees with goal of a college scholarship. Her whole family works overtime so she can have this opportunity. She’s living her dream until she screws up and the cops arrest her. With her family history with the local legal system, she has only one choice: do community service in a diversion program for teens to avoid having a future ending record or juvenile detention. The community service farthest from her school friends is a pit bull and Maine coon cat rescue operated unbeknownst to her by her nemesis and competition for the community scholarship and non profit funding. Will she be able to keep the secret about her sentence? What will happen in the scholarship contest with her opponent as her community service supervisor? Can she work with her opponent Oliver West? Is it possible to be attracted to and repelled by someone at the same time and which force will win? Can she be herself with the baggage, stereotypes and expectations? She thinks she’s alone in this struggle- what happens when she figures out people around her have similar challenges? Will people accept her if her secrets are out in the open?
+ YA rom com with multiple lgbtq characters with main characters who are gender neutral, bi and trans. Being LGBTQ is part of who they are but not everything. The characters are multi dimensional teens with family dynamics, school and community passions.
+ a main character is Native American & described her ties to the “Rez” and school and stereotypes she faces
+ describes the struggle for first generation students to plan for higher education and deal with stereotypes of being lower social economic status
+ learning to accept family even when they come with baggage ( reputations, incarceration and financial struggles)
+ descriptions of rescuing pit bulls abandoned and involved in dog fighting; also cats
+ YA rom com with multiple lgbtq characters with main characters who are gender neutral, bi and trans. Being LGBTQ is part of who they are but not everything. The characters are multi dimensional teens with family dynamics, school and community passions.
+ a main character is Native American & described her ties to the “Rez” and school and stereotypes she faces
+ describes the struggle for first generation students to plan for higher education and deal with stereotypes of being lower social economic status
+ learning to accept family even when they come with baggage ( reputations, incarceration and financial struggles)
+ descriptions of rescuing pit bulls abandoned and involved in dog fighting; also cats
May 23, 2022
2.75
After enjoying randomly two books by the author I decided to pick this one as well. And while I did really like it at first I kind of lost interest at about 70% and by the end had to force myself to finish it. It has again good representation but I guess I just read too many of the authors' books back to back and lost interest. I feel like she kind of rushes the endings to be honest. Still quick and easy read.
After enjoying randomly two books by the author I decided to pick this one as well. And while I did really like it at first I kind of lost interest at about 70% and by the end had to force myself to finish it. It has again good representation but I guess I just read too many of the authors' books back to back and lost interest. I feel like she kind of rushes the endings to be honest. Still quick and easy read.
May 3, 2022
“What am I supposed to say to him? Especially him? Oh it’s simply that I am but a pauper, and mine possessions are meager? He is but a pauper as well and he truly does not seem to give a fuck.”
Shelved as 'added-to-work-list'
December 28, 2022MC Rep: cishet female; trans male LI
February 13, 2023
Good read
This was a good story. I enjoyed reading this book. I will read anything that has rescue in the title. I was a little old for this book. But learned some new words.
This was a good story. I enjoyed reading this book. I will read anything that has rescue in the title. I was a little old for this book. But learned some new words.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews