Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Husky Love
SERIES: A Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue Romance
AUTHOR: Gabbi Grey
NARRATOR: Michael Ferraiuolo
PUBLISHER: The Wild Rose Press
LENGTH: 8 hours and 48 minutes
RELEASE DATE: May 29, 2025
BLURB:
Danny
I may be young, but I’ve done a hell of a lot of growing up in the past year. I watched my big brother deal with the challenges of loving someone, went through some medical stuff myself, and changed my career plans and my city. Gaynor Beach is smaller than where I was, but it has two attractions—my brother’s big new house, where he’s letting me live for now, and Rob Dunn. When I met Rob, just, damn. Like my brother, I wanted to help that sweet, stubborn guy and his cute kids get back on their feet. Maybe the rescue husky wasn’t the right gesture, despite Rob’s connection to him, but a dog is love on four paws, and I plan to be there to help all the way.
Rob
I left my abusive husband with my two kids and the clothes on our backs. I’m grateful every day for the support the Gaynor Beach folks have given us…okay, I’m not sure I’m precisely grateful for the rambunctious young husky Danny Reynolds gave us, but Trouble makes my kids smile, and that’s a big win in my eyes.
I’m determined to get back on my feet. I hate relying on other people to help us, but somehow it doesn’t bother me as much when it comes from Danny. It’s nice to have a real friend after all those isolated years, but do I want to keep him in the friend zone?
This slow-burn small-town gay romance novel is about fresh starts, accepting help, two sweet kids, and an adorable husky named Trouble.
REVIEW:
Note: This story is set in the town of Gaynor Beach, the setting for two multiauthor series. Some of the characters from previous stories appear here in supporting character roles, but it’s not necessary to have read those other books before this one – it works perfectly fine as a standalone.
Danny comes from a big family – seven kids in fact. His older brother James has moved to Gaynor Beach from the LA area and is now living with this boyfriend Colin and his French bulldog puppy Widget. That means James’ place is vacant and he doesn’t want to sell it yet. A local social worker is looking for a place that is suitable for a young single dad getting out of an abusive relationship where he can lay low, regroup and hopefully move on with his life. Danny is at a crossroads too and while visiting his brother, he ends up sort of in the middle of preparing James’s house for the new family who will be living there temporarily. He meets Rob and his two kids and they strike up a conversation while furniture is being moved in. Danny feels for the guy and he offers him his phone number as a means of keeping in touch.
Rob Dunn has gone from a hospital emergency room after being assaulted by his must older controlling husband when he tried to intervene when said husband was about to abuse their 4-year-old daughter. For his trouble he’s got a broken nose, bloody clothes, and bruised daughter and a toddler son and no place to go. His husband is in jail and Rob is terrified. He’s got to get away. But he has nothing. No phone, no clothes, nothing for the kids, no money, no friends. He was 18 and living rough when he met his husband after being thrown out by his family for being gay when he was still a teenager. He married Gerard when he was 19 and then his friend from the streets who was pregnant asked Rob to take her baby when she was born and Gerard and Rob agreed. Rob has spend the last 4+ years then raising his daughter and then a son who again, was the child of someone who was not able to care for him. After Rob’s assault at the hands of his husband, this little family is now in desperate straits with no means of support. Gerard tracked Rob on his phone which didn’t have internet access. He had no bank account, no money of his own, but was responsible for running the house and taking care of the kids and his husband. He lived in LA but never even got to see the ocean. He had been cut off from any friends and wasn’t even allowed to socialize with neighbors so he’s pretty much stranded. The police call in a social worker and they have a potential placement for him in Gaynor Beach where he will be safe from Gerard until the trial and he’s got potentially access to services and legal counsel to start divorce proceedings as well.
When Rob arrives in Gaynor Beach after a rough night with little sleep he can’t believe all the help he’s being offered. Between the social worker and the guy whose house he’s going to be staying at, he’s kind of overwhelmed. He doesn’t want a handout, but he’s not in a position to refuse the help. He’s got to get stability for his kids. He doesn’t have a high school diploma or any real experience doing anything. He needs a job but he will also need childcare. Danny encourages him to accept the offered help. Colin, James’s boyfriend is dealing with a serious health condition and he and James really do just want to help.
A line on a job is offered and Rob jumps at it. Then he’s able to find reliable child care. He’s busy and tired and he’s grateful for all the help. Meanwhile Danny is coming to terms with this own future which may not included Med school based on his grades. Plus he really isn’t enjoying it. He also is in a position to potentially do something great for someone else and help James and Colin as well. He and Rob continue to grow closer and neither can believe their luck that they have found someone who gets them and truly wants what’s best and offer support to each other. New plans can be made and as long s they are working together, the future looks bright 🙂
Rob and Danny are two incredibly sweet guys. I was kind of surprised about Rob entering into a new relationship after the disaster of his marriage. But Danny is not threatening in any way and his whole family is so supportive. Danny has a certain view of the future and he’s struggling to see another path. His family is both helpful and also disruptive to his plans 😉 James is a big supporter and encourages Danny to see a bigger picture than what he’s been focused on. With the additional resources offered, he can really decide what he wants. Rob is a hard worker and he’s happy to have someone who offers him choices and is interested in his opinion and what he wants – something sorely lacking in his marriage. The kids were adorable in this story and for the most part were pretty true to life in their behavior. The cameos by characters from previous Gaynor Beach stories were delightful! Surprisingly, the Husky in the title doesn’t come on the scene until rough 2/3rds of the way through the book. However she is wonderful addition to Rob’s family 🙂 I loved that there were consequences for bad actors here and that everybody got a bright future 😀
Michael Ferraiuolo does his usual splendid job performing this story. There are a LOT of characters here, but the voice choices for them were clear and distinct. I also loved the kid voices! Mr. Ferriauolo is a favorite narrator in the genre and this book is another example of why. Just a fun, engaging read from start to finish. This whole series is just love and I recommend this book and the others whole-heartedly.
RATING: 
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