I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon Published by Forever, Hachette Book Group on June 4, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
Buy on Amazon, Buy on Indigo
Goodreads
"Farrah Rochon delivers the feel-good read of the summer." --Entertainment Weekly
Ashanti Wright is thrilled over the success of her doggie daycare, Barkingham Palace. But handling the business and taking care of her teen twin sisters is a lot. And now that the antics of her adorable French bulldog and poodle bestie are blowing up on social media, things are even more chaotic than usual. And they only get worse when the world’s worst dog hater shows up.
Thad Sims is not a dog person. He’s barely a person’s person. But after his grandmother is transferred to a senior living facility that doesn’t accept pets, the former army officer agrees to care for her annoying standard poodle, and his first move is taking Puddin’ out of daycare.
Now Ashanti’s beloved Duchess is bereft of her companion, social media is outraged, and Ashanti’s business is hanging in the balance. Her only option is to make nice with the surly, sexy Thad at all costs. But it’s gonna take a tiara-wearing Frenchie, a well-dressed poodle, and a whole lotta treats to teach these humans a few new tricks about falling in love.
An Entertainment Weekly Best Book of the Summer
Review
In the heart of New Orleans, where jazz meets Southern charm, Ashanti Wright runs Barkingham Palace, a dog boarding business that’s as quirky as its name. Life throws her an unexpected bone when Thaddeus Sims — a grumpy ex-military man who’d rather face another tour of duty than deal with a wagging tail — inherits his grandmother’s spoiled French Bulldog, Puddin’.
What follows is a delightful dance between two opposites. Ashanti, juggling her business and raising her teenage twin sisters after their parents’ death, brings warmth and chaos wherever she goes. Thaddeus, on the other hand, treats life like a military operation until Puddin’ starts dismantling his perfectly ordered world, one chewed shoe at a time.
Rochon crafts a story that’s more than just a romance — it’s about healing, family, and learning that sometimes the best things in life come with fur and drool. The chemistry between Ashanti and Thaddeus builds slowly but surely, like a New Orleans roux, rich with moments that’ll make you laugh out loud and maybe shed a tear or two.
The author excels at creating characters that feel real enough to be your neighbors. Ashanti’s struggles with imposter syndrome while expanding her business, and Thaddeus’s journey from dog-avoiding grouch to reluctant dog dad, unfold with authentic humor and heart. The supporting cast, including the four-legged ones, adds flavor to this gumbo of a story without overwhelming it.
Sure, like your favorite pair of jeans, some plot points might be predictable, and the slow burn might test the patience of readers who prefer their romance microwaved rather than simmered. But these minor quibbles fade against the backdrop of Rochon’s warm, witty writing and the genuine emotional depth she brings to what could have been just another rom-com.
This is the kind of book that’ll have you looking up dog adoption websites at 2 AM while grinning like a fool. It’s a testament to how love — whether it comes from a person or a pup — can transform even the most resistant heart.
