Sadie's Spring Surprise by Debbie Viggiano

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Sadie Harding’s posh wedding to Felix Barrington-Jones is abruptly cancelled, she’s devastated. While tears are to be expected, surely taking to her bed for a prolonged period is a little OTT? But that’s because Sadie has a secret about what really happened prior to everything being called off. And the guilt is unbearable.

Three years later Sadie has a new guy in her life, but this chap has four legs, not two. William Beagle is a rescue dog that suits her perfectly. He parps like a man, snores like a man, and loves her unconditionally. But what she hadn’t reckoned upon was an unexpected dispute of ownership with the gorgeous but grumpy Jack Farrell.

Jack has his own problems. Namely blackmail. The last thing Sadie ever anticipated was being unwittingly implicated. When a peaceful walk turns into a police investigation and William Beagle’s mugshot is splashed across the papers, she’s badly triggered. Can Sadie finally confront the demons of the past in order to face the future?

Sparks are set to fly in this gorgeous romantic comedy about love, trust, and new beginnings.

MY REVIEW

It’s time for Sadie to experience life again after her tragic past and adopting a rescue Beagle named William is just the ticket. Little did she know William came with a past who is tall, muscular, and gorgeous to boot.

Everyone grieve’s differently and Sadie’s way is to hole up in her home and create her pottery. With her friend Charlotte’s persuasion, Sadie agrees to adopt William, an adorable and energetic Beagle who owns her heart immediately. In just two glorious weeks, Sadie’s outlook on life changes as she goes for walks and spoils her new roommate. Until a hilarious incident in a cafe reveals that the little Beagle belongs to someone else. A handsome and angry man accused her of stealing William and no amount of explaining can change the fact that her happiness just walked out the door under someone else’s arm.

The slow build of Sadie and Jack’s relationship is built on their love of animals. Jack realizes his mistake of being angry at Sadie and makes up for it by asking her to take walks with him and William. A beginning of a friendship that leads to much more. The book is considered a romantic comedy which certainly had me chuckling at times, but there is some seriously dark shit happening as well which had me cringing. There are flashbacks of Sadie’s past that come out regarding her fiance Felix and the end of their engagement which leads the reader down a shocking and heartbreaking path to Sadie’s emotional state. In addition, there is a twist at the end that I never saw coming. In fact, it really didn’t fit with the story and seemed too unrealistic and unnecessary. Despite that, everyone lived happily ever after.

Sadie’s friend Charlotte is a key player in the story as she encourages Sadie to get out there and live again; however, I wasn’t a big fan of Charlotte and her questionable morals considering what happened with Sadie and her fiance. Sadie’s sister Flora is a very unlikable person and I thought Sadie forgave that evil bitch too easily. Sister or not, you just don’t do that to your flesh and blood.

Overall, I was engaged in this beautiful story about forgiveness and starting over. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered for Sadie’s happiness with Jack and their furbabies.

Thank you to Ms. Viggiano for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Prior to turning her attention to writing, Debbie Viggiano was, for more years than she cares to remember, a legal secretary. She lives with her Italian husband, a rescued pooch from Crete, and a very disgruntled cat. Occasionally her adult children return home bringing her much joy… apart from when they want to raid the fridge or eat her secret stash of chocolate.