Barking Up the Wrong Tree - Bluff Point #2

Our Review

BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE is the second book in the BLUFF POINT SERIES. I need to read book one, ABOUT A DOG, as well as book three, EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY which will be out in January 2018. McKinlay is a new-to-me author reminiscent of Jill Shalvis. I will be adding many of her books to my always growing TBR pile.

This is a steamier read than I was expecting, and Carly is all woman! When she and James met, I could hear the sizzle. When they have their one-night stand, it was more than memorable, but as far as Carly is concerned that’s all it will be. James has other ideas, but can he change Carly’s mind, especially when she realizes they have a connection from their past that isn’t all good? It was fun to get to know Carly’s friends and some of James’ family. Her inherited animals from a deceased elderly neighbor whom she had befriended while living in Brooklyn, New York, added a little fun and sass to the story. There’s Ike, a foul-mouthed parrot, and Saul, a sweetheart of a dog along with James’ injured dog, Hot Wheels. Carly learned that she had a bigger capacity to love and nurture than she thought. 

I love the cover on the book and how the story grabbed my attention from the first page to the last. There were a lot of twists and turns, and blanks were filled in along the way (since I haven’t read book one yet.) Carly’s non-existent relationship with her younger sister took a positive spin and added some levity and sisterly bonding and love to the story. I appreciated the vivid descriptions of James’ home, the lighthouse, and the beach setting. The story is filled with laughter and tears, anger and happiness. The characters all had a depth to them, but I know there’s still more to learn about them and their relationships with each other as well as their love interests. There is nice closure, but enough loose ends to reel me in to more stories set in Bluff Point, Maine, and a happily-ever-after that was bound up in romance. I for one can’t wait for more!