The Lonely Hearts Rescue: Featuring stories by Missouri Vaun; Morgan Lee Miller; Nell Stark

Description from NetGalley:

When a hurricane hits the Gulf Coast, the animals at the Lonely Hearts Rescue Shelter need love, and so do the humans who adopt them.

Something About You by Morgan Lee Miller. After rescuing a cat stranded in the hurricane, animal control officer Reese Shepard is adamant about finding shy, timid Apollo the best forever home. When she discovers Apollo giving cheek rubs to Hannah Marsh, Reese’s high school crush, she’s captivated by her all over again.

Force of Nature by Missouri Vaun. Rebekah Hawks has stepped in to help with hurricane disaster relief. Challenges are no match for Rebekah. At least until she agreed to foster an impossible dog. Rebekah has no choice but to seek the aid of handsome local dog trainer Rory Maclaren. But who is training whom?

Test of Faith by Nell Stark. Rescuing a dog is a dream come true for Faith Kincaid—and a chance to prove to herself that she really can, in the words of her therapist, “commit to commitment.” When Faith takes her new best friend, Pinoe, to the vet, she can’t stop staring at Dr. Delphine Wu. Del is completely out of Faith’s league. Or is she?

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My Review:

I don't read short story collections often, but animals and LGBTQ+ main characters, sign me up! I have never read anything from any of these authors so I went in with fresh eyes. I'll break this review up into a paragraph for each story.

Something About You was really cute. I liked that it felt very natural between Reece and Hannah. I thought especially the author did a great job of showing Hannah's first time dating while out. I felt the exact same way. Messaging women with romantic intentions is hard lol. I also thought Reece and Hannah were really cute together. I would read a full novel about them if the author ever decided to expand or do a short sequel.

Test of Faith was my least favorite story. Honestly, I didn't even finish it. Faith was just so awkward and I thought the author used it as an excuse to say mean things. When Faith made a joke about someone not being a real queer because that person didn't know some famous gay icon I literally just skipped the rest of the story. Even though I'm sure the story ended with a happy ending, I have no interest in Faith as a character.

Force of Nature was my favorite of the trio, so I'm glad it was the last story I read. I thought Rebekah and Rory were very cute and just a little bit funny. I thought seeing Rebekah doubting herself in being a pet parent but still put in the work and really tried. I remember being a first-time pet parent. Way different than growing up with animals as a child. Lost of scary adult responsibility. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was their one fight that made them question the relationship. It felt like it came out of nowhere. I think a build-up confession would have been nicer.

Overall, this was a fun read. I wouldn't personally purchase a copy for myself as I wouldn't want to own a book where I skip a complete story if I were to re-read it, but I do recommend it for those who are curious. Maybe you may like Faith and her story.