A Walk in the Park

This February, I’m planning to mostly read romances. The first audiobook I picked out is A Walk in the Park by Rebekah Weatherspoon, a novella about two people being brought together by a rescue dog. It’s a short and sweet love story that weaves in deeper issues and, of course, an adoration of dogs.

Summary

Janelle Johnson is excited to finally pick up the rescue dog she picked out, a playful good boy named Zeus. But the animal shelter had a rogue employee, and many pets were approved for multiple adopters. Janelle is shocked to learn that she’s not the only one there to bring Zeus home; so is a man named Andre Monroe. Neither of them is willing to give up this perfect dog, so they come to an unusual agreement: they’ll co-parent him. Janelle will have Zeus half the week, then Andre will have him the other half.

This would be simple enough, but Janelle and Andre are both single and instantly attracted to each other. Even so, they don’t want to ruin their co-parenting of Zeus. But could they actually work? Could this became a happy three-member family in the end?

Review

A Walk in the Park is cute and fun from the very first chapter. It’s a nightmare scenario: The dog you planned to adopt was also promised to someone else?! But as weird as it might be for two strangers to co-parent a dog, Janelle and Andre are on the same page from day one. They have nearly identical plans for how to care for Zeus: they both picked out the same groomer, the same veterinarian, and even the same dog trainer, and have similar taste in everything from collars to dog beds. This really could work.

They have an instant attraction to each other, but both are coming out of some relationship trauma. Andre’s ex-fiancée cheated on him; Janelle’s ex-boyfriend left her when she made an unconventional career change. This leads to one of the themes I liked most in A Walk in the Park: It tackles mental health issues (specifically depression), career burnout, and relationship troubles with depth and care. Janelle and Andre are both level-headed, but they have some reservations that make them cautious in love. Their romance unfolds quickly nonetheless (this is a novella, after all!), and it’s sweet to seem them get to know each other and develop a support system.

Of course, Zeus himself is one of the highlights of the story. I’m more of a cat person myself, but Zeus is a lovable and charming dog who’s well-behaved and makes for a wonderful companion. He deserves to have a loving home or two… and a loving family. It was so sweet to see how such a perfect doggo can ultimately prove to be the best matchmaker.

Final Thoughts

A Walk in the Park packs in a lot despite its short duration. I loved spending time with Zeus, Janelle, and Andre in this delightful adoption meet-cute romance. This is the first I’ve read from Rebekah Weatherspoon, but I’m eager to read more from her soon.

Get the Book

You can buy A Walk in the Park here – it’s available as an audiobook.

A Walk in the Park by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Audiobook Narrator	Marissa Hampton; Chinua Hawk
Audience	Adult
Genre	Contemporary Romance
Setting	California
Book Length	2.5 hours
Format I Read	Audiobook
Original Publication Date	March 10, 2022

Official Summary

Two hearts on the mend and one adorable mutt get a new leash on love in this romantic short story from award-winning author Rebekah Weatherspoon.

Andre Monroe is ready to move on from heartbreak, and the first step is bringing home his rescue pup. He’d bonded instantly with the playful Zeus, and was already planning their first adventures. But one thing he definitely hadn’t daydreamed about was Zeus accidentally being promised to someone else – or that he might go home empty handed and broken-hearted all over again.

Janelle Johnson is not giving up her claim to Zeus. He already has a hold on her heart (and his own Instagram handle). After the year she’d had, she needed this dog. But when she sees the disappointment of the big, burly handsome man who’s clearly just as in love with the dog as she is, she proposes a deal to Andre – for one month they’ll co-parent the dog. How hard could it be?

Both of them agree to the unusual arrangement. Sharing a dog with a complete stranger isn’t quite the walk in the (dog) park they imagined, but as they work together to give Zeus a loving future, their four-legged friend might not be the only one who’s found a happily ever after.