TEST
Ever have a friend who was a total bitch? Figuratively we all have, but what about literally? What if the friend you thought were dead came back to earth as a dog with the intention of making up for the terrible wrong she did you?
Lydia Keane always considered herself a good friend to Amy Cameron, despite the fact that she was having an affair with Amy’s husband, David. When both Lydia and David are killed during a tryst, Lydia enters the afterlife with a tiny bit of remorse for betraying her friend. It’s nothing compared to just how sorry she’s going to be. Sent back to earth as a Welsh Corgi with a mission to find Lydia a perfect husband, it’s not long before Lydia is very sorry she ever laid eyes – and other body parts – on David Cameron.
Amy Cameron is recovering from the shock of the death and betrayal of her husband and best friend, but she is still very bitter and shy of men in general. Thank God dogs can’t stab you in the back! Her corgies are her pride and joy, so when a local vet calls her up claiming to have picked up a stray, Amy goes to the rescue.
The vet just happens to be Jeff Berenger, a guy who once dated Lydia. The fact that he was taken in by Lydia’s beauty and figure, Amy decides, is all the more reason to stay away from him. Unfortunately her regular vet has left and she finds herself in need of Jeff’s services. He also shares her love of wildlife and is a genuinely nice guy. He even puts up with Amy’s coolness – and Miss Piggy’s bad attitude.
“Piggy” is non other than Lydia in a flea-bitten dog suit. Amy’s guardian angel is disgusted by Amy’s budding interest in the un-perfect vet and decides that she would be much better off with sexy newscaster Tom Gordon. However, a girl’s best friend isn’t necessarily the best judge of character and Amy falls for Jeff despite Piggy’s endeavors. But Piggy’s sensitive nose soon sniffs out a danger to Amy’s life, and the culprit behind her own untimely death. How can she possibly save Amy when she’s a dog?
Finding Mr. Right is light on lust but heavy on humor and fantastic characters. Lydia’s machinations as a canine are even more humorous from a confused human’s viewpoint. Her interactions with the humans and other dogs of the story often had me laughing out loud. Carmichael has written a charming, funny romance and laced it with intrigue and genuine human emotion. Lydia’s struggle with her dog-self is as humorous and her struggle to come to grips with her human mistakes is touching.
The relationship between Amy and Jeff is realistic and heartwarming. They become friends before tumbling into bed, and are open about their feelings for each other. No great conflict, just two people overcoming mutual hang-ups to fall in love with each other. I wasn’t even that upset by the absence of a more graphic love scene – with the dogs listening outside the door it would have been too funny to take seriously!
Finding Mr. Right is a witty, warm-fuzzy-feeling romance with a dash of mystery tossed in to make it even more interesting. If you’re a dog lover and don’t mind the fact that one of the main characters is a bad tempered, ugly little dog with a mind of her own, grab this book. It’s light on passion but I guarantee it will make you smile. Emily Carmichael’s first contemporary romance shows cross-over appeal that will appeal even to those of us, like me, who generally prefer historical romance. If she continues to cross over like this, I’ll follow.
Grade: B
Book Type: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 16/02/99
Publication Date: 1999
Related Reviews
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.