Alison Pace (1) (1978–)

The follow-up to Pug Hill, this story still follows Hope who now has her own pug.

When she discovers a painting missing at her museum job, a private investigation is opened that has to be kept secret from someone in Hope's life and her pug is on the case too.

I just couldn't with this yet again. Such awkward interactions with the major donor (it's her painting that was stolen) who also has a pug. Hope and the lady become friends but there was really nothing there to actually make me believe in their growing friendship - and even though I agree that simply owning a pug would make me want to get to know you, that is the start but I didn't believe for a second that these two became fast friends like that.

Not for me, again.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own.*… (mere)

A classic bumbling cute girl rom-com story where the main character, Hope, is dealing with your average everyday dilemmas in love, luck, and work. She has to give a speech at her parents' wedding anniversary and she's afraid of public speaking, she has issues in her relationship with her boyfriend who she probably shouldn't be dating [we've all been there], and has to act like an actual human and not some pile of mush in front of her crush. She spends blissful moments watching the Pugs roam around and have fun in the park {they are rather majestic creatures are they not? lol}

This was boring but not bad. I lost interest about 40% of the way in because it was like every other rom-com with no outstanding incidents to speak of. The major draw for me was the fact that it has pugs in it and as a human owned by a pug, that was the extent of the appeal. I suppose it is more of an everywoman kinda story but that isn't my jam.

Recommended for light romance readers & chick-lit readers, or anyone who wants a light summer pool read.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own.**… (mere)

More chick lit than I would have expected. Especially another air head female when Jane was suppose to be paying attention and be so great at her job. Did enjoy the tantrums that her boss had over her mistakes at work and the way her mother acted towards her dogs. Liked the quotes by Warhol, the behind the scenes look at art galleries and their art shows. Glad to see Jane grow in her thinking about relationships with people. Liked the perspective on life of the artist Ian that she has to assist while traveling to different cities. Jane never really displays an intelligence about art though.… (mere)

Hope works at the Metropolitan Museum with the artwork. She regularly brings her pet pug to work. On a day when there is a pug-themed party for a prominent donor – a donor who loves pugs, herself – a valuable painting is stolen and a fake left in its place. Hope discovers it and lets her boss know. One other employee, who was in charge of the night’s party, also discovers it. Between them, they decide not to go to the police, but to hire a private investigator to see if they can figure out what happened themselves.

The book was ok. Hope’s pug, Max, was cute. I did find pretty much all of Hope’s social interactions a bit awkward, especially with the donor, as they became “friends”. I just didn’t see the friendship. Overall, just an ok read.… (mere)