Pets of Park Avenue

First comes marriage, then comes love in London’s sparkling second Paws in the City romance (after The Dachshund Wears Prada). Chaotic and impulsive Scout Myers has never felt accepted by her family, but she has a support system in her bestie and boss, Isla, the founder of the animal talent agency that gives the series its title. After an unfortunate incident leaves its top dog out of commission, the agency needs a stand-in, and Scout knows a pooch that fits the bill. There’s just one problem: the owner is Scout’s husband, Lane Halliday. The pair met and married in Vegas five years before the start of the book—and they haven’t spoken in almost as long. After a month of trying to make their relationship work, Scout was convinced that Lane—who refused to introduce her to family and friends—was as ashamed of her as her own family had always been and she left without a word. Workaholic tech executive Lane knows he made mistakes, but Scout’s abandonment still hurts. When the doggie dilemma reunites them, it’s their chance to reconcile. London pairs their satisfying romance with a deep dive into dysfunctional family dynamics, the corrosive power of secrets, and the importance of communication. This is sure to win hearts. (Dec.)