Hound Dog & Bean

Two things interested me in reading this book. The first is that I've grown to really like B.G. Thomas's books and the second is that Hound Dog loves dogs and runs a no kill shelter. I like animals more than people so I could certainly empathize with how H.D. felt. I also liked the idea of a non-people person with a man who owned a coffee shop and interacted with people all day long. There is nothing better, in my opinion, than a really fantastic opposites attract romance and I was pretty sure that was exactly what the author was going to give me. Although I'll be completely honest here and admit that I'm not a coffee connoisseur, in fact, I don't even really drink it anymore.
I loved Hound Dog from the moment I met him and he wasn't letting this jerk adopt one of his babies, Sarah Jane. She had been abandoned and left outside in a backyard, so when H.D. found out this guy planned on leaving her outside all day while he was at work…well, that was a big NO! I'm a big supporter of animal rescues so I cheered through that entire scene. Now Bean was a whole different kettle of fish. Don't get me wrong, I pretty much fell for him too, right off the bat. How could I not, especially after meeting his parents, watching his employees try to set him up and seeing how seriously he took coffee beans? However, any man who loves to iron and does it to relax? Well, I gotta think about that for a bit. *grins*
When the jerk who tried to adopt Sarah Jane went after H.D. in The Shepherd's Bean, Bean stepped in front and took the punch meant for Hound Dog. And so they meet, and a brewing attraction begins. Pun totally intended. Bean hasn't noticed a guy in years, but there's something about the blond dreadlocked guy with big blue eyes. And for H.D.? He's surprised to meet a man who seems to have honor and is chivalrous. Two things H.D. is pretty sure are missing from most of the general population. Which might be why H.D. offers to come over and cook Bean dinner. Hound Dog doesn't date. Ever. He has hookups, and a lot of them. Once a dog…always a dog…right? Bean doesn't do one-night stands. He prefers to date and get to know someone. Oh, the attraction here of opposites was so much fun.
'Hound Dog and Bean' was a delightful and adorable story. It was a romance in the truest sense of the word from Hound Dog's fears of love and loss to Bean's desire to be the one H.D. would stay for. The dogs and the shelter animals (and horrible stories) touched my heart and brought a few tears to my eyes. On the other hand, I learned an awful lot about coffee beans that I never knew before. Thank you, Ben, for a beautiful story of hope, trust and love.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

I always enjoy reading B.G. Thomas' books. He has a knack for taking serious topics and giving them a lighter touch. I enjoyed meeting both of these characters, and I enjoyed the nonfiction elements of the book. As a devout animal lover, I related to many of the H.D. and Bean’s comments regarding people vs. animals. The backgrounds of these characters are so different, but they share similar values, which made the magical elements in the book come to life. Although both characters are strong, they have weaknesses, which provide that sense of realism, even when the circumstances in the book stretch some boundaries.

5* for Hound Dog & Bean, this book is filled with love, laughter and a few tears. I loved how Hill and Dean found love with each other due to their love of coffee and a certain little Sarah Jane . Read this book you won't be disappointed :)