This novel could so easily be a true story and things like this happen every day. The puppy farm, the accident, the treatment the characters, everything about it. I loved this and didn't want to put it down and wanted more when I came to the end. I have read several books by Lucy Dillon and I am going to read more of her. 5 stars and I recommend you read and enjoy her books.

After a whirlwind Long distance romance, Jeannie finds herself having second thoughts on the way to her wedding. She tries and fails to get in contact with fiancé Dan, and then finds out he’s been hit by a bus. As she sits at his bedside, Jeannie feels she can’t admit to her doubts, but as she finds herself drawn more to his best man Owen can she continue the pretence?

A lovely story, with a different twist - the boyfriend being in a coma for most of the book! The characters were well thought out. I especially enjoyed Dan’s mother, who spent the whole time planning their new wedding, completely missing the signals, right to the very end. The side story, of vet George, his wife Rachel and the rescue dogs adds another strand of interest and helps things bounce along. Whether it will help in stopping puppy farming is unknown, but if it only opens a few more eyes to the practice then this can only be good for dogs.

A great book, with a serious message slipped in.

This was a lovely relaxing read - very much enjoyed it! I really enjoyed the story and the premise and there was an element of suspense throughout it as well which I didn’t expect.

A really lovely light read, if wedding nerves and a coma can be called light. As with her previous novel dog’s feature a lot of if you are a cat person then it might not be for you. Engaging ( pun not really intended), funny, sad, thoughtful, dogs, wedding dresses all combine really well.

I liked the idea behind this book, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
The main storyline itself was a good one, but I didn't really feel any connection to the main characters.
Also, there was a secondary story going on about puppy farming, dog adoption, etc which seemed to totally take over from Jeannie and Dan's story for at least half of the book.
I'm a huge dog lover but, even for me, it was a bit much.
The ending was slightly predictable, but also the one I had hoped for.

2.5 ✧

Unexpected Lessons in Love finds Jeannie, with cold feet about to marry Dan. She bravely decides to call off the wedding at the same time that Dan is in an accident and ends up in a coma.

This started off good, I liked the writing but not the POV in this one. I'm usually not fussy unless it reads weird. My rating isn't great but I did read this book at a bad time, I've been super busy. That's probably the reason that when the plot started to drag (Dan still in a coma) I really gave up a bit and skimmed to the end.

I had a slight niggle around what guy I was supposed to get behind (Dan's best man Owen gave me some vibes very early). That's actually a deal breaker for me as I need to know WHO it will BE, I don't read to be disappointed. I'd happily spoil a triangle outcome for myself just to avoid it.

You know what? This may have been about love, making the mistakes, fixing them, life, life life.. but considering the end, it wasn't a romance. I'm glad I didn't give it my all. I would check out another book by Dillon another time though.

I love romance books more than anything and this one was at least interesting so to say if not more. I enjoyed the characters and can see how this would happen in real life but the paced was too slow for my liking and had to stop reading at times.
Lovely and heartbreaking or heartwarming some may say, it’s an enjoyable read for the romance lovers.

I really enjoyed this book. The story kept me interested and although I had an inkling, I wasn't quite sure how it would play out which meant I had to keep reading to find out the outcome, I was completely hooked. It is very well written with believable and likeable characters. I definitely recommend this book. Thank you #netgalley.

This personally wasnt my kind of book but I do think people who enjoy romance novels will like it. The pace was too slow for me and I felt like it took too long to get into the plot. I'd already guessed the ending halfway through the book however I normally read thrillers so dont feel this was a book for me personally. I did like the characters and it was well written and an incredibly heart warming story. I would recommend to my friend who reads chick lit. It was enjoyable for what it was but it didnt make me want to read it

Jeannie and Dan have been together about a year.Things are moving on too quickly engaged on an outing to New York,on Brooklyn Bridge .Wedding plans etc taking much of their time ,but they really don't know each other well at all..
On her way to her wedding she tells her father she cannot go ahead with the weddingand tries to phone dan but his phone is engaged so she leaves a message.As we find out later Dan's call was to a girlfriend but not concentrating ,he gets knocked down by a bus.
Unconscious in hospital for a while with parents and friends visiting he gradually comes round and he admits he couldn't go through with the wedding at the last minute either .

Lots of packing regarding puppies etc do not add to this story i feel.

It was lovely to meet up with some of the characters from Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts and to meet up with some new ones.
I really enjoyed this book - a nice heartwarming, relaxing read.
Jeannie was an amazingly strong character making hard decisions.
And of course I loved the dogs

This is a lovely fireside read. It doesn't demand much of the reader and has a very emotive dual storyline that covers human and canine relationships. It wouldn't sit up there among the best books ever written but it certainly pulls you into the lives of the characters. Anyone who loves dogs will love the storyline around the rescue home

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This author certainly knows how to tell a story and also about love, relationships and most importantly hope. I loved it.

First time of reading any of Lucy's work and this was generally a feel good novel! So pleased it ended how it did as that's all I wanted from the very start. I wouldn't ever call myself a dog person but felt so sad about the puppy farming details, I hope everyone reading this ends up doing something to help the little dogs who are so mistreated!

The clue is in the title- here is a story about love or maybe not. It’s well written and will strike your heart. From heartwarming to heart breaking. For me it was a slow burner but trust me stay with it you will not be disappointed.
Characters well established and believable
Great read.
Thanks to both NetGalley and publishers for giving me eARC. to read in exchange for my review

A charming story proving that love is not always black and white.
Jeannie is a young woman getting ready to get married to her perfect fiancé but on the day of her wedding, she realizes that they know each other only for a few months. She doesn't have time to rethink her situation as unfortunate events take place and Jane's life takes a 180* turn. In the following story, she starts to discover herself and understand the real meaning of love, friendship, and rediscover her own passions.
This was the first book I read by Lucy Dillon and I was positively impressed. I expected it to be more of a regular romance although it came out to be a very emotional piece with deeper valuable thoughts.
It was a very engaging read and I didn't want to put a book aside. At first, I didn't feel positive towards the main character although going further into the story I created positive feelings for her. I only wish other characters in the story would have more place as I was missing some more information about them.
I would recommend the book to all fans of women's fiction although prepare a box of tissues as this piece can make you a bit emotional!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

This seemed like a lighthearted romance at first but soon turned into a story about a moral dilemma that also interweaved a campaign for a good cause (the fight against puppy farming).
In all it was a cracking read and I’d definitely like to read more from this author.

Really enjoyed reading this book. It was well written with believable characters. It tugged at my heart strings and I definitely shed a few tears. This was far better than so many of the chick lit books I have previously read. Recommended wholeheartedly.

This is a love story that takes an unexpected and almost tragic turn on the way to their wedding, causing Jeannie the bride-to-be to question everything she thinks she knows about her lovely fiancé Dan, and about herself. Their happy day changes in an instant, and changes their lives forever. The fall-out affects family and close friends, and introduces Jeannie to a whole new ‘normal’ life. Along the way she meets some great people who support her in her struggle to make sense of what has happened to her and Dan.

The narrative did dip a little in the middle, becoming a bit bogged down in daily medical issues, when I wondered where the story could go. Then it took an unexpected turn or two, adding several interesting strands to Jeannie’s story, all completely unrelated to Dan. It then becomes much more about Jeannie and the life she is building for herself, and much more engrossing.

The characterisation is excellent, all the central characters are so well drawn and believable. As the demands on Jeannie grow, she finds reserves of strength she didn’t know she had, allowing her to finally be truthful with herself and face up to the events of her ‘nearly’ wedding day.

This is a very enjoyable story about love and trust; romantic love, family love, friendship; and the unconditional love between animals and their humans.

A perfect book to curl up with on a chilly winter night, or on a sunny beach, I will look for more of this author’s work. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

Unexpected lessons in love by Lucy Dillon is somewhat reminiscent of “While you were sleeping”. It’s a great story of life, love, and betrayal and how those things can influence our choices - not always in the best way. This was an engaging read with some lovely sub plots going on about puppy farms, marriage and family expectations/pressure. Great for the beach or curled up by the fire. I loved it