Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

Ann, Kyle, Henry, and the gang are back in Reigning Cats and Dogs by Jane McBride. This is the latest book in the Ann and Henry series. Ann and Kyle have put their wedding plans on hold, waiting until his uncle and her aunts can attend, but the date is fast approaching. Along with a wedding, Ann is working on opening a pet shop, and an unlikely person asks her for a job. In addition to all this, Ann's best friend Kell becomes the victim of a car burglary, and somehow Ann finds herself right smack dab in the middle of danger!

I must admit I was drawn to this series because it revolved around Henry, the Great Dane, but once I started reading the series I became totally invested in the characters, animal and human alike! Ms. McBride easily creates that small town feeling, which allowed me to feel I was visiting and catching up with old friends, while making new acquaintances. A few of those new characters were really out there! I thought Ann's Aunt Leona was a total trip, I couldn't imagine what she might say next. There was also Kyle's great Uncle Juan that I envisioned as a mooch. There is plenty of excitement going on what with Ann getting ready for her wedding, and wondering what might happen at the last minute, to gearing up for the grand opening of her store. If that isn't enough, Ann finds herself in the midst of the car burglary investigation. When her friends wind up in danger, though, it's one of the strongest characters that breaks down.

While most of the story is a fun filled, fast paced read, Ms. McBride does allow the reader to glimpse further into the characters of Kyle and Ann, enabling the reader to understand them. The hints of romance blossoming between some of the secondary characters really leaves me anxious to read the next book in the series! While this is the second book in the series, the author provides enough background information that it probably could be read as a stand alone work.

That said,I would highly recommend both books, especially if you enjoy well written characters that will totally worm their way into your heart; a fast paced story that provides a bit of suspense and mystery, along with a splash of romance; and some education in the Mormon faith. On a scale of one to five, I would easily give Reigning Cats and Dogs a six because it's just that good!