Reviewed by Lesley
TITLE: Ruff Start
SERIES: Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue #5
AUTHOR: Roan Rosser
PUBLISHER: Rainbow Dog Books
LENGTH: 156 Pages
RELEASE DATE: August 6, 2024
BLURB:
Sawyer
I’m deathly afraid of dogs, so why am I signing up to volunteer at an animal shelter?
When my therapist sends me to the newly opened Safe Haven Animal Rescue to get up close to a dog in a safe environment, my nerves almost get the best of me in the lobby. But a run-in with a handsome employee makes putting up with the terror worth it. I’m so besotted, that before I know it, I’m signing up to be a volunteer at the shelter.
Neil
Crushing hard on my first volunteer is not a good way to start my new job as a volunteer coordinator.
When he starts flirting with me, I shut him down despite his pushing all my buttons. Yet the more time we spend together, the more my crush deepens, and the more I regret staying so professional. But even if I do jump despite the consequences, will he still be interested when he finds out I’m trans?
Ruff Start is a slow-burn gay romance novel between a work-a-holic corporate professional and a laid back artist who needs to learn when to ask for help.
REVIEW:
This is the 5th book in the friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue multi-author series and continues the story where the shelter is now established and increasing its staffing levels.
In this book we meet Sawyer who is desperately trying to get over a fear of dogs after being attacked by a pack one night. This fear is ruining his life, meaning he can no longer surf at the beach or go to the places he enjoys in case he meets an off the lead dog. His therapist suggests exposure therapy in a safe place at the local animal shelter where the animals are locked away. His plan, once he works up the courage to go in, is see the cats and walk through the dog area. In and out. That is until he meets the new volunteer co-ordinator Neil.
Neil has moved to Gaynor Beach from the Idaho to take on the job of volunteer co-ordinator and fundraiser for the shelter. He has moved with his dog Princess Bubblegum and neither he or his dog have ever seen the sea before in real life!
Neil can’t believe his luck a new volunteer on his first day and a very handsome one too. Only issues are he can’t date a volunteer and perhaps more importantly how will Sawyer react when he finds out Neil is trans. Oh and there is also the issue of Sawyer being completely terrified of Princess Bubblegum. Maybe they can find away to become friends at least – if only friends would be enough for either of them.
This was a nice read. Not as angsty or dramatic as some of the books in the series but written in a fluid, very readable style. Ruff Start could be read as a standalone book if you have not read anything else in this particular series or the Gaynor Beach multi author universe. It was nice reading about the animal rescue centre as it enters business as usual.
RATING: 
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