Book 7, 2020

[chez_jae]

Head Over Paws by Rory Wilde

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Since I have today off, I stayed up until after midnight to finish reading Head Over Paws by Rory Wilde. It's a male/male romance featuring freelance graphic designer Ollie Rookwood and veterinarian Harry Knowles.

After his girlfriend dumped him and moved to New York, Ollie has become a bit of a recluse. If it weren't for taking his greyhound, Bella, out for exercise, he might never leave his apartment. On one such walk, Bella is attacked by another dog, and he rushes her to the nearest vet clinic.

Harry Knowles is a vet who's all heart. After several failed relationships, he's in a dry spell. When Ollie bursts through his door and into his life, Harry is more than ready to try again.

Ollie is in a financial bind, but Harry needs his logo and office brochures updated, as well as establishing a website. He and Ollie barter their services. It enables him to keep in contact with the intriguing, tattooed artist. For his part, Ollie hadn't given much thought to his sexuality, but spending time with Harry has him questioning himself.

Of course, not everything is sunshine and romance. Harry's dog, Betsy, seems to dislike Bella. Harry's mother keeps trying to set him up with "nice girls", and Ollie's ex-girlfriend, Anna, comes back. She makes it clear she'd like Ollie back, too, but when he finally stands up to her, she tries to get Bella instead. Their fledgling relationship has given each man new resolve, and together, they can face anything.

This was a fun, fluffy romance, I found the conflict resolution(s) to be almost trite and too easy. Anna went from being a manipulative (Ollie's word) vile bitch (my words) to contrite, accepting, and supportive. Harry's mother saw reason after one (more!) heart-to-heart, the dogs settled their differences, and Ollie gleefully dove into a gay relationship without any angsting or doubts. I shouldn't complain; I do love me some fluff.

Favorite line: "I'm going to live my life in a way that makes me happy, and you can either accept it or not."

Cute, lite story for the most part. Four stars.