A review by coffees_and_romance_reads
Worst in Show by Anna E. Collins

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The premise of “Worst in Show” caught my attention from the first time I read the synopsis. I wanted to like this book and I did, but I also have some conflicting feelings about the main characters especially the MMC, Leo. Cora is helping her grand father run his shop and trying to save it from ruin when Leo moves in across the street with a new pet store of his own. Cora is on defense with him from the start and his arrogant attitude doesn’t help. He does seem to like Cora though and tries to make amends for bad behavior. That is how they end up training their dogs together. From this emerges a friendship both canine and human. 

I really loved the secondary characters and the dogs in this story. They had me bursting out with laughter numerous times. The chemistry between the MC’s was great as was their banter and overall I was rooting for them to figure stuff out. Having said that Leo was a tough one to like at times. He was a victim of his upbringing but some of the ways he treated Cora gave me the ick’s and I struggled to like him. The book was a slow burn and took a few chapters to get into it for me as well. Once I was past the first few slow chapters I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. Overall, not my favourite book but certainly an enjoyable read in general.