Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

In a word, Mae Harden’s Hound Dog is adorable. This is the first book that I’ve read from her, and I gobbled it whole. For one, it’s a novella, so it’s a nice bite-sized read. It’s perfect for a quick afternoon reading session. Secondly, it has a lovely heroine in Aria. She’s a dog walker with the ability to talk down the most unruly animal. Even more, she’s had a tough time in life, but she hasn’t allowed it to undermine her positivity. Thirdly, Hound Dog has a hero who is hunkalicious. Carson is struggling with his dog, formerly his sister’s dog. He’s a star, a triple threat, and he needs someone to help him get his dog in check. From the minute they meet, there is an instant attraction between Aria and Carson. And for the rest of the story, Carson shows a depth of character in the ways that he falls for and cares for Aria. When their happily-ever-after is threatened, Carson makes it better for Aria because he adores her. And finally, Mae Harden knows how to write spicy romance. On the one hand, there is a sweetness to the way that Carson and Aria care for each other; on the other hand, they turn up the heat to High in the bedroom.

For my first Mae Harden read, Hound Dog did NOT disappoint.