Tiner’s faltering contemporary is full of distractions: a stalker, a serial rapist, overly aggressive dates, and cute dogs that are more props than characters. Elizabeth’s life changes dramatically when she is fired from her high-powered public relations job without explanation. She’s immediately offered a job as the president of an animal shelter. She accepts, not for the best reasons, but soon starts to enjoy the work, the dogs, and the shelter volunteers, especially big-hearted Paul. Tiner attempts to portray Paul as the knight rushing in to rescue the damsel in distress, but he comes across as a possessive and jealous guy with a hero complex. His propensity to violence may be excusable at first time, but he lashes out repeatedly, despite Elizabeth’s requests for him to back off. Despite the setting, the dogs don’t get much of the spotlight. The framework is there for a heartwarming romance, but the story falls short. (BookLife)