I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the book. This was a very cute Christmas story. I enjoyed all the characters, and if you are looking for a good fast Christmas read, you will like this book. It is a little bit far-fetched, but for being a Christmas romcom, it was very cute and enjoyable.

Ok how cute is this cover?! I think we all love a christmas romance but add the dog bit, I was sold. However, I didnt end up being sold on the actual story itself. To each their own!

I’ve put off writing this review for weeks because I really don’t know what I thought of The Christmas Dog Sitters. I finished the book, which is a good sign, but I didn’t love it.

It took such a long time for this story to really get going. The first chapter is really fun and I loved the dynamic between the characters, but then one of them dies and it’s all a bit depressing. A lot of this book focuses on death and grief and I really wasn’t expecting that. Especially as this is marketed as a romance and there isn’t a lot of romance.

Speaking of romance. The relationship between Rachel and Ben was not done well. You could see the author was trying to make it an ‘enemies to lovers’ as Ben would often say mean things about Rachel to begin with but there wasn’t any development with this. They went from being a little harsh to each other to suddenly having a romantic relationship that I honestly can’t remember anything about.

Rachel’s constant jumping to conclusions was quite annoying. Why did she trust the opinions of strangers when it came to Ben rather than just asking him? She already knew these women didn’t like her because of her sister, so why would you trust anything they say? It just caused unnecessary drama in a book that already dealt with multiple serious topics.

Christmas is barely even an afterthought in this book. The only festive thing that happens is Christmas day itself and even then it doesn’t feel different to any other day that happens during the book. The Christmas Dog Sitters could have been set at any time of the year and it wouldn’t have been a different story.

It’s a shame that the flawed parts of books are the most memorable as there were definitely parts of this book I enjoyed but they are being overshadowed by the parts I didn’t. I did really like some of the characters and the story was very sweet but there were too many storylines happening at once so none of them really shone through.

This wasn’t the holiday romance that I was expecting 🥲 the beginning felt so slow getting to know the characters and their trauma. Why did so many people have to die??? I feel like the cover had me expecting a sweet romance with doggies involved but I didn’t get that with this one.

Lovely festive story, dogs and Christmas what's not too love, thrown in a bit of romance and you have a great read. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

As a huge fan of Christmas and holiday romance, I couldn’t resist diving into "The Christmas Dog Sitters" by Lucy Mitchell! This charming story captures the essence of the festive season while blending adorable pets with heartwarming romance.

The plot centres around a group of friends who start a dog-sitting business during the holidays. Their adventures are filled with laughter, unexpected challenges, and, of course, a sprinkle of romance.

The characters are relatable, interactions between them, and the dogs, are too cute.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.

I am here for it, for it all. The dog, the romance, the holiday setting. The story of things turning around in ways you don't expect. I needed to read this one this week. Thanks for the opportunity to do so!

Rachel’s life is in the pan so when her sister asks her to dog sit over Christmas she decides to pack up and move into her palatial mansion for the holidays. Then her family tell her she’s also got grandpa to look after as well.
Join Rachel and her wayward dog and even more wayward grandpa.
Great read hilariously funny and well written

I relished this festive Christmas romance. It made me cry and smile in equal measures. Humphrey the hodini really steals the show and is the most clever little dog.

Rachel agrees to dog sit her sister's dog and her grandfather during Christmas. lovely Christmas story.

Book Review: The Christmas Dog Sitters by Lucy Mitchell

In The Christmas Dog Sitters, Lucy Mitchell crafts a heartwarming tale that perfectly captures the chaos and warmth of the holiday season. I found myself immediately drawn to Rachel, whose struggles—grief, heartbreak, and job loss—resonate deeply. The weight of her challenges set a poignant backdrop that contrasts beautifully with the festive setting.

Rachel’s unexpected dog-sitting adventure at her sister’s luxurious country house quickly spirals into a delightful mess. Managing the spirited spaniel, Humphrey, along with her quirky Grandpa Eric, added a humorous layer that kept me laughing. Mitchell's writing shines in these moments, blending comedy with genuine emotional depth as Rachel grapples with family dynamics and the ghosts of her past.

As Rachel navigates the complexities of her new responsibilities, I was captivated by her interactions with Ben, the handsome builder. Their connection felt authentic, rooted in shared experiences of loss and a desire for healing. The way their relationship unfolds against the backdrop of holiday preparations made me cheer for their happiness.

The quaint village setting, complete with a looming snowstorm, provided the perfect backdrop for a community coming together. I loved how Rachel’s journey transformed into a mission to bring joy to those around her, culminating in a heartwarming Christmas dinner that felt like the essence of the holiday spirit.

Overall, The Christmas Dog Sitters is a delightful blend of romance, humor, and heartfelt moments. Lucy Mitchell has crafted a story that’s not only about love and new beginnings but also about the strength found in community and family. It’s a perfect read for anyone looking to cozy

I love this time of year and the run up to Christmas, it’s the perfect time for a Christmas story and this one fitted the bill perfectly! It was heartwarming, funny, festive and i thoroughly enjoyed it!

There were so many wonderful characters in this story and maybe a few that i loved to hate too!! Humphrey was just amazing and i adored him but the one person who i loved more than anything was Grampa, he absolutely made the story!

The Christmas Dog Sitters was such an easy read and pulled me in straight away. It was so funny and sweet and heartwarming and with a slow burn and Christmassy and i loved everything about it…….

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Rachel isn’t having a good year so far after her boyfriend was cheating on her and then left her, she lost her best friend Olivia, she died in a car accident. Rachel hasn’t as yet overcome the grief for her friend. Not only that, she doesn’t have her job and is living in a flat where the ceiling leaks.

When her sister Maddie, who is married to Frank who has loads of money, but isn’t pleasant asks her to look after her spaniel Humphrey at the massive mansion in Surrey over Christmas, her Grandpa Eric is also sent to her to be looked after as well.

Rachel loved spending time with her Grandpa and Nana when she and her sister were young and she still does love her Grandpa. But now, with him and Humphrey to take care of, she’s not looking forward to receiving the check in from her overbearing mother in Spain via WhatsApp every day.

When they’re at the big house, Humphrey escapes whenever he gets the chance, but each time, he’s helping those that need it. Grandpa, after going to a dance falls in love.

Rachel, wonders why she’s been informed by Frank before they left for their holiday that the west wing isn’t to be opened up, and to stay in the mansion, not to go into the village.

I guessed some bits, and wanted to find out whether I was right as I continued to read.

The characters are all different, but some are relatable.

I highly recommend this book.

It is easy to fall in love with the combination of Christmas, dogs, and romance, which makes this a delightful Christmas story. Rachel and Ben are two main characters who have a lot of layers and are very real, both coming with their baggage, and yet they have their strength and their charm. It is a love story and the way their love story unfolds is quite interesting and entertaining. This story is a delightful and enjoyable read, and I encourage everyone to read it.

I want to thank Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

This was a super cozy Christmas read set in England. As someone who knows her time with her Grandfather is limited, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Her grandfather made me laugh a lot because he reminded me of my own, always looking to get up to something.

Without spoilers-The whole Frank storyline was wild and kept me guessing the whole book.

Rachel and Eric’s story was cute, I loved how organically they met and how he ended up being the contractor. It reminded me of a meet cute in a Hallmark movie but less cheesy lol The spice was an appropriate amount without being raunchy.

The DAMN DOG. Omg as a dog groomer I kept getting so mad at the Humphrey 😂 Someone get this dog a trainer! Once we figured out he was helping people I was less annoyed but omg at first I was so agitated by him bc he’s a bad boy 😂.

I recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun little read at Christmas!

I received a free copy of, The Christmas Dog Sitters, by Lucy Mitchell, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Rachel agreed to pet sit her sisters dog, but somehow she is caring for her very cranky Grandpa as we, since Rachel had no other plans for the holiday season she must plug on. This might be Rachel's worst Christmas ever, or it might turn out to be her best! A good Christmas book.

A lovely festive, comedy with a wonderful touch of romance. Filled with good cheer and bound to put a smile on your face this holiday season.

Rachel is struggling with the loss of her best friend and her rented flat. Her sister Maddie gives her a lifeline by asking her to stay at her and her husbands mansion to look after her spaniel Humphrey. She gets more than she bargains for when the whole village are hostile towards her. Loved this book

Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 - 3.5 stars
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Genre: Romance

Book Review
Overall, this was a cute and cozy holiday read, perfect for getting into the festive spirit. The characters, especially Rachel's Grandpa and the mischievous spaniel Humphrey, brought some fun and heartwarming moments that made me smile. I enjoyed how the story touched on themes of grief, healing, and second chances, set against the backdrop of a bustling village at Christmas.
While I loved the humor and the charming cast of characters, I found myself wanting a bit more romance. Rachel and Ben’s relationship had potential, but I wished it had been explored more deeply. Their moments together were sweet, but it felt like their connection could have been developed further, especially with the Christmas magic swirling around them.
Despite this, The Christmas Dog Sitters offers a lovely mix of festive cheer and emotional depth, with a cute dog playing a starring role! A light, fun read for the holiday season.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the ARC of The Christmas Dog Sitters.

I loved the holiday vibe of this book and the meddling family remembers. (Who didn't love Eric?) The Christmas Dog Sitters was a fun, quick read.

Rachel and Ben are so interesting together. Two strong and independent characters who have been through a lot
Rachel's character was so relatable. Suffering through grief, and some unhappy life situations, Rachel is still a kind hearted character.

Mitchell wrote a cute, Christmas romance and still touched on the topic of grief in a sensitive way.