Moving from Chicago to her aunt's home in Eunice, Arkansas, Addie finds her way forward with help from her pit bull rescue Felix. And by meeting single mom Wanda who 'translates' the South to the city girl, teaches her Southern cooking, and insists she socialize at local events.

Refinishing her aunt's old furniture, getting a job at the local vet's office she meets her neighbors. Folks loved her Aunt Tilda and because Addie is outgoing, friendly and caring they show her support and love as well.

And she will need it when she finds herself in a mess of a situation with a totally nasty character.

Read this mostly fun, relaxing, quick-read of a book for an enjoyable few hours.

An enjoyable but somewhat predictable story. The addition of Felix and other dogs to the tale is probably what kept me reading.

(Warning--Spoilers are possible in rest of review. Read at your own discretion.)
*****

I guessed what Felix's history was about the time Addie was in the vet's office and he was describing Felix's wounds to her. I also correctly guessed what Jasper's secret he wouldn't tell Addie was. And for all Addie's talk about Chicago, I doubted she'd go back so the biggest question there was would she go back short-term and decide she couldn't live without Jasper or figure it out beforehand.

What I liked:
the dog(s)
Addie's mother and stepfather (who obviously care for her a great deal)

What I didn't like:
the mistreatment of dogs (even though it was part of the plot)
the roller coaster of Jasper/Addie--instead of communicating, Jasper would say "I want to tell you but I can't right now" which would make Addie mad, instead of just asking about Harper Addie would stew.
Jasper and Addie have sex before their relationship is really defined. (I'd prefer the novel without this at all, but if the author feels it's necessary for the genre, it would have been better if they'd been in a more committed relationship than where they were when this happened. I sometimes feel that today's publishers feel the only way to show a couple's attraction to each other is to put them into lust with each other that culminates with them in bed together.) ( )

Addie Andrews has inherited her Aunt Tilda’s house in tiny Eunice Arkansas, so she moves from Chicago, and the painful memories there, to refurbish the homestead and heal from her wounds. Of course, she finds that the peace and quiet of a small Southern town is just a myth; there’s plenty going on and everyone seems to know her business. When she finds an injured pit bull puppy, she comes to the attention of local hunk Jasper Floyd, and things get complicated.

Oh dear … The best part of this novel – and unfortunately is a small part – is Felix, the pit bull puppy; and I say that even though I’m not a “dog person.” I knew going in that it was chick lit, and I wasn’t expecting great literature but this was really bad. The characters are cardboard, the plot is nonsensical, the relationships are unbelievable and the dialogue is tortured and clichéd.

On the plus side, Felix is a great dog, earning the book 1 star. It’s a fast read, and it satisfied several challenges. ( )

Good book. Loved the pictures. ( )

I received this book from LibraryThing in exchange for a review.

From my first glimpse of the cover of this book to the end of the story, I was captivated. Author Annie England Noblin captured my heart as she told the tale of Addie Andrews, who was determined to undertake the project of refurbishing her beloved Aunt’s small home. Trying to escape her own problems, Addie finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a problem of a different sort. Whoever would have thought the little town of Eunice, Arkansas, hid its own deadly secrets?
From her crazy across-the street neighbor to the puppy she rescues, this heart-warming story will have the reader laughing out loud one minute and rooting for Addie the next, as she tries to find out who’s behind the things happening in Eunice. Along the way Addie finds a place to belong, a town full of friends, and a man she can love.

I can't wait for this author's next book. ( )