Caught in a Loop by Tomi Tabb: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

I’m Ava Brown, and I’ve never been great at taking risks—especially when it comes to love. After years of harboring a crush on my best friend Dylan, I finally work up the nerve to tell him how I feel. Only, it does not go well.

With my ego bruised and my heart officially wrecked, I throw myself into running my vet clinic. Dating? Absolutely not. I’ve got more important things to worry about, like how to bring in new clients.

But then a late-night emergency involving a muddy cat introduces me to Fernando, a guy who has a sexy Spanish accent and is alarmingly good-looking. Helping him out starts as a one-time favor, but somehow, we keep crossing paths.

When I take my first vacation in years to Spain to clear my head, guess who turns up again? You guessed it—Fernando. What was supposed to be just a fun road trip quickly turns in to me suggesting a fake relationship in order to get his matchmaking aunts off his back.

I told myself I wouldn’t fall for one of my friends again, but my heart has other ideas. I’ve always played it safe, but falling for Fernando might be the biggest—and best—risk I’ve ever taken. Is it still a risk if it feels exactly right?

The Author

Tomi’s publishing journey began in 2020 with the release of her debut novel, Dancing With a Royal. Although she’s always loved writing fictional stories, Tomi’s background is in academic writing. She holds an MA degree in History and is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in the same subject.

In her rare free time, Tomi enjoys figure skating and hunting for new pumpkin flavored foods to try. It’s one of the many reasons fall is her favorite season.

Tomi is a California native where she resides with her family and one very spoiled cat.

Book Review

This was such a cute read! Ava and Fernando got off to a rather interesting start--- with lots of animal questions and a minor cat emergency for the pets he was watching for his friends. From there, they keep running into each other in the most unexpected of places. They had great chemistry and form a quick bond, but she's had a recent rejection after confessing feelings to her best friend and he had some heartbreak in his past that kept him from pursuing love again. That certainly doesn't stop his meddling family from trying to push it on him though... so when they end up traveling in Spain together, she suggests they fake a relationship to keep his aunts from their matchmaking ways! I couldn't help but enjoy these two together. They definitely seemed to find themselves in a lot of mishaps, keeping the smiles coming throughout the story, but I also just loved their easy friendship... and of course, seeing them go from friends to more! It was a pretty quick romance... but it felt very natural and not at all rushed. If you love animals, fake dating, meddling family and just a hint of holiday cheer, this is certainly one to check out! 

Caught in a Loop is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is the third book in the Skaters of Sequoia Valley series. I had not personally read the previous books in this series and found I was able to enjoy it just fine as a standalone. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/41TUftn