ARC Review: Third and Long (Pawprints on My Heart #1) by Rebecca Minelga
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Series: Pawprints on My Heart #1
Author: Rebecca Minelga
Published June 24th 2025 by Conquest Publishing
Goodreads Synopsis
A sweet, sports romance where love is a four-legged word
Trauma survivor, Abby Barclay, finds purpose in her life with her therapy dog, Gen, helping terminally ill children and their families deal with pain and loss. When a playground accident brings nine-year-old Dylan into her life, even Abby is surprised at the depth of the bond between the boy and her dog. Her relationship with him––as well as with his divorced father, Scott––soon grows into something beyond professional.
Threatened by Abby and Gen's close relationship with Dylan, Scott's ex-wife reopens their custody arrangement, forcing Scott to decide between his son and the woman he loves. To make matters worse, Gen receives a devastating prognosis.
As Abby weighs losing Scott, Dylan, and her beloved dog, she must decide whether loving anyone is worth the risk and whether she can find the courage to go on even if she loses everything.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.
Abby is a former paramedic, who following the death of her husband now works with her therapy dog, Gen, to help those on the paediatric oncology ward at her local hospital. When they come across a young boy, Dylan, who falls in the park and breaks his arm, Abby becomes close with his dad, Scott, a football player. They both have been hurt in love before, but they can’t deny their connection. But are they willing to take the risk?
I quite enjoyed this book, though I definitely wasn’t expecting how emotional it was at times. I knew it was a sports romance, with a single father, but that was it. It had all of that, but also there were really hard hitting themes of the loss of a spouse, childhood illnesses and deaths, custody battles, and so much more. I really liked the chemistry between Abby and Scott, and how they formed a true family with Dylan and Gen. I do think the pacing was off at times - sometimes it seems to drag, and other times it was a little rushed, particularly with the ending. I am interested in reading what comes next from the author though.
Dates Read:
July 29-30, 2025
Rating
3 Stars
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