It Happened on Love Street by Lia Riley

Title: It Happened on Love Street
Author: Lia Riley
Publisher: Forever
Date of Publication: April 25th 2017
Source: Review copy courtesy of the publisher

Summary:

The most romantic place she never wanted to be . . . 

Pepper Knight moved to Everland, Georgia, as step one in her plan for a successful legal career. But after this big-city gal's plans go awry, going home with her tail between her legs isn't an option. So when the town vet-and her sexy new neighbor-offers Pepper a temporary dog-walking job, she jumps at the chance. No one needs to know that man's best friend is her worst nightmare . . . or that Everland's hot animal whisperer leaves her panting.

The last thing Rhett Valentine wants is to be the center of small-town gossip. After his first love left him at the altar, he's been there, done that. These days, life is simple, just the way he likes it. But sultry southern nights get complicated once sparks fly between him and the knockout next door. When she proposes a sexy, secret fling-all the deliciousness and none of the prying neighbors-it seems too good to be true. And it is. Because Pepper's determined to leave Love Street, and when she goes, she just might take his heart with her . . . 

Review:

This fish out of water tale sees Pepper, big city lawyer (sort of) moving to the sleepy town of Everland to further her law career. A summer as a clerk for the local judge is just what she needs before returning to the big city and joining a prestigious firm. When things go wrong, she's offered a job as a dog walker by her next door neighbour, and town vet, Rhett Valentine. She needs the money, but she's terrified of dogs. Left with little choice, she starts walking the local dogs and gets to know the people who frequent the dog park, the hub of local gossip.



Rhett has been burned in love, and by the town gossips, so he's not interested in being in the public eye, but he can't resist his beautiful new neighbour. A secret summer fling seems to be the perfect solution, but it has a use by date. When the time comes, will he able to let her go?

It Happened on Love Street is a delightful blend of sweet and steamy romance. Once Pepper and Rhett acknowledge their mutual attraction, things heat up quickly, and hot and steamy is something Lia Riley does well. Rhett is the perfect hero, a gentleman with all the right moves. Pepper is self-conscious, but only as much as the next person. She doesn't spend the book lamenting her shape or looks, she just wishes she'd shaved her legs at a particular point!

Everland is a sickly sweet town, with nosy old biddies seemingly on every corner. The town claims to have been settled by pirates and celebrates this fact with a yearly festival featuring a treasure hunt and silent auction.

There is definitely scope for additional books in this series, with at least two bachelors yet to be paired off.

I really enjoyed the romance between Rhett and Pepper, but there were a couple of aspects of the story that just didn't seem believable. In particular, Pepper starts out with a phobia of dogs, but within a few chapters is hanging out at the dog park with no issues whatsoever. Desensitisation just doesn't work that quickly.

In all, this is an enjoyable romance which will keep you turning pages until the very end.