Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Passions of a Papillon

AUTHOR:  Tara Lain

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  210 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 21, 2020

BLURB:

After you’ve sold your soul to the devil, can you renegotiate with a dog?

Brilliant defense attorney, Finn Morgenstern, knows the worst guys pay best, so defending slimeball, Rance Franklin, becomes his path to senior partner and a whole lot of benefits. But then a walk home to his pricey townhouse brings him face-to-ears with a batshit-crazy little dog who just won’t leave him alone. So Finn takes the dog to the local veterinarian to find out how to get her back to her owners. Hello vet! Emerson “Em” Fairweather sure doesn’t match his stodgy name. Tall, platinum blond, and gorgeous, Em puts the pet in pet ownership. But Em has ugly secrets and Batshit dog is up to her ears in larceny. Suddenly Finn is the one who needs defending, and he’s faced with a choice between what he thought was important and a whole new batshit-crazy life.

REVIEW:

Passions of a Papillon is a lightheaded novel about a lawyer, a veterinarian, lots of bad guys, loads of sliced turkey and bacon, and a princess – a spunky Papillon with a big heart and even bigger ears. Finn, a defense attorney for the dregs of society, is having an existential crisis regarding the clash between his chosen profession and his values. When he finds, or more accurately, is found by a crazy-ass, darling little pooch, circumstances bring him together with a sexy vet, Emerson, and suddenly Finn’s work dilemma grows a little less cloudy as he imagines his future. 

While Finn and Em get to know each other, the dog – dubbed Batshit by Finn – works her way into dog-newbie Finn’s life and heart. But soon the pup leads them to a crime ring that is connected with Finn’s highest profile – read: slimiest – client who is secretly enmeshed in Em’s past. Soon Em is in peril, and Finn tries to save him. Then Finn’s in peril and Em tries to save him. Then they’re both in peril and Batshit saves them all. 

Passions of a Papillon is a charming book, quick and fun to read. Every woof, and there are lots of them, makes me smile. Bat interjects her opinion into every conversation and punctuates it with a woof. The plot will hold your interest, but it is more about the crime than the romance. The crime fits the tone of the book by never being too heavy, and there’s no violence. There are enjoyable side characters throughout, from Finn’s friends Harvey and Xavier to Em’s coworker Erica and memorable patients in his waiting room. Even the criminals are memorable, if not likable. 

Author Tara Lain adds a bit of magic with what appears to be Bat’s understanding of English, her miraculous escapes from cars, and showing up just where she’s needed. The relationship between Finn and Em moves swiftly, but it doesn’t bother me the way it does in many novels. Despite the criminal aspect of the book, there’s a touch of whimsy that pervades the story and that’s what makes the rapid progression of their relationship feel okay.  

The story is well-written and fast moving, and leads to a storybook ending. I recommend this book; Lain has written a doggone enjoyable dog-centric dog tail tale that dog lovers will find entertaining. 

RATING:

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