A classic bumbling cute girl rom-com story where the main character, Hope, is dealing with your average everyday dilemmas in love, luck, and work. She has to give a speech at her parents' wedding anniversary and she's afraid of public speaking, she has issues in her relationship with her boyfriend who she probably shouldn't be dating [we've all been there], and has to act like an actual human and not some pile of mush in front of her crush. She spends blissful moments watching the Pugs roam around and have fun in the park {they are rather majestic creatures are they not? lol}

This was boring but not bad. I lost interest about 40% of the way in because it was like every other rom-com with no outstanding incidents to speak of. The major draw for me was the fact that it has pugs in it and as a human owned by a pug, that was the extent of the appeal. I suppose it is more of an everywoman kinda story but that isn't my jam.

Recommended for light romance readers & chick-lit readers, or anyone who wants a light summer pool read.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own.** ( )

The writing reminded me a little of either "Good in Bed" or "Bridget Jones Diary". ( )

3.5 stars

Hope is a paintings restorer. She has a boyfriend, but also a crush on a coworker. Her parents' wedding anniversary is coming up and her dad has asked her to give a speech at the celebration. Hope is terrified of public speaking, but she can't say no to her parents with a request like this.

It was quick and enjoyable. Definitely a light summer read. Probably my favourite chapter was the one that focused on her parents' dogs. I did like how it ended, as well. ( )

This book made me really happy. I'm rating it five stars based on the genre: It's chick lit, through-and-through. I wouldn't put it up against Thomas Hardy as "great literature", but it's a happy and reflective example of modern popular literature. I loved the protaganist's talk about her family, and I loved her for loving dogs. ( )

I thought this book would be a good "light" diversionary read form some nonfiction books I've been reading. Little did I suspect that some of what was in those books would turn up in this! I've been trying to build a practice of meditation and mindfulness, and at least two of the techniques for restorative breathing show up in Pug Hill as relaxation techniques, taught in Hope's public speaking class! Synchronicity, huh? Anyhow, the novel, which true to my original thoughts, was of the lighter variety, had some good expressions on the subjects of finding contentment, overcoming fears, and the love of a good dog.

Not being a New Yorker, I was curious to see if Pug Hill really existed. I came upon these two links which give some interesting information:
http://pughill.org/
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/01/nyregion/while-the-pugs-eat-the-caviar-owners-... ( )