#BookReview: Unleashed by Rachel Lacey - 3 Wine Glasses

Title: Unleashed 
Series: Love to the Rescue #1
Author: Rachel Lacey
Format: Paperback, 352 pages
Published: October 28th 2014 by Forever
ISBN: 1455582093 
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | ARe
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Crystal
Rating: 3/5

What happens when you find the right one at the wrong time?

Cara Medlen has a serious case of animal attraction. And it's not because of all the foster dogs she's rescued. She's got it bad for her incredibly sexy neighbor. Her one rule: Don't get attached. It's served her well with the dogs she's given to good homes and the children she's nannied. Yet the temptation of Matt's sexy smile might just convince her that some rules are made to be broken.

Matt Dumont doesn't need his skills as a private investigator to detect disaster on the horizon. Cara is everything he thought he'd never find-gorgeous, funny, and caring. But there's no way he can start a relationship just as he's about to move to another state. Talk about bad timing. As their attraction sizzles too hot to deny, they'll have to make a decision: forget the consequences and let loose, or forget each other and let go...

Thoughts:
Unleashed is a sweet and cuddly contemporary romance that will appeal to fans of Jill Shalvis. 

Cara Medlen is a woman with an unknown future who prefers relationship of the four-legged variety because it's safer. The canines she fosters all eventually leave for their forever home and the children she nannies during the day get turned over to their parents at the end. Cara never has the opportunity to form an attachment with any of them and that is the way she likes it. That is until her sexy next-door neighbor barges into her home thinking she is running a dog-fighting ring and turns her safe, easy world upside down.  
Matt Dumont has one last case to finish up before he can move back to his hometown and begin a business partnership with his brother. But his sexy neighbor has piqued his curiosity and Matt decides to get a  better look. His instincts are prickling and he knows just because a woman is beautiful, doesn't mean they're innocent. More then Matt's curiosity is aroused after their first meeting though, attraction is a combustible thing between them. But Matt is leaving the state soon and Cara is scared that if she commits, she might end up leaving those she loves behind. Will they let possibly the best thing that could happen to them pass them by? Or will Matt and Cara throw caution to the wind and take a chance on the desire that swirls around them? 

Unleashed was a cute romance with the added enticement of a few four-legged friends that readers are sure to fall in love with. The writing was done well for a debut novel from the author and I could easily picture the world surrounding these characters. Cara was a leading lady that I could empathize with. She's had a rough time at it and has come out stronger in the end though she does let her doubts and insecurities get the better of her on occasion. I liked Matt a lot, though his distrust and assumptions did become aggravating at times. Together, they had good chemistry but they did dance around each other for a good portion of the book which dragged the plot down. I think if the romance was stronger, more combustible, the plot would have been more engaging. But all in all, this was a good debut for author Rachel Lacey and I look forward to seeing what she has with her next release.