Wit and charm enliven this sexy romp by North (Dear Love Doctor). When Stacey St. Cyr leaves her PR firm in New Orleans to vacation in Hot Springs, Ark., she ends up in Doolittle, Ark., after her faithful collie, True Blue, falls ill. Enter veterinarian Michael Halliday, a single father affectionately known as Dr. Mike. Michael quickly determines that True is pregnant, but his only remedy for Stacey, who's recently been jilted by her fiancé, is to spend more time with her. While True recuperates, Stacey becomes acquainted with Michael and his daughters, Jessica and Kristen, and some of the town locals—including two fussy old innkeepers and a pushy realtor. Michael and Stacey appeal to one another both physically and emotionally despite their disparate personalities—she's a workaholic and he's laid back about everything—but her fear of commitment keeps them from coming together. In a contrived plot twist, Stacey's warring, long-divorced parents arrive on the scene to push the couple together. Humor is an ever-present force throughout, which keeps the story's mood light and its pacing upbeat, but North's plot, as well as her characters' motivations, are underdeveloped. Nevertheless, this sweet, sprightly romance is a soothing salve for the lovelorn. (June 4)
