This was a new author to me and it was certainly a whirlwind romance... in fact they went from blind date to keys to each other's houses in no time flat (or so it seemed). This book was ok, but not one that has convinced me to immediately go and find this author's back catalogue... my mine issue was the speed... everything seemed to be going at warp speed - from the meet cute, to the first date (and then the second and then third) to the first major hump in the road (to the second) to his deployment to her (and his) pregnancy.

Also, there is barely a mention of his (I'm sure) amazing service dog that takes pride of place on the cover...

Isabella lost her first husband while he was serving overseas. She's vowed to never date a military man again. But, when she's set up on a blind date with Ethan Masters, she can't help but think maybe it is time to break her own rules.

As they fall for each other, the Air force K9 handler also begins to believe he may actually be cut out for white picket fences and a wife. But when he's offered the promotion of his dreams, can he and Isabella make it work?

Sweet with just a bit of angst, this is a fine contemporary selection for those who enjoy military romances. I thought the "misunderstanding" between the characters was resolved a bit too quickly and I hated the secret baby ending because that is not my thing.

So, so, good...the storyline in this book about AirForce Staff Sergeant Ethan Masters and school teacher Isabella Knowles is touching heartwarming vision about military life and new relationship. This is most definitely a 5-star read.

Probably a 3.5* on the Goodreads scale because I'm not a big military romance fan. Your mileage may vary.

Isabella and Ethan are set up on a blind date by her father, and one of Ethan's friends. What neither of them took into account, and failed to inform Ethan, is that after losing her soldier husband in a training accident when she was only eighteen, she has sworn never to get involved with a military man ever again. This is exacerbated by her own experience with a military father whose marriage broke up.

And this is where we start. Ethan is adorable. He is a K9 handler in the airforce so he and his dog's job is to be first into a place to ensure no bombs or enemy personnel. Nice dangerous job and he is waiting on his next overseas deployment.

The relationship is very push-me-pull-you, with Izzie attracted to Ethan but trying to convince herself that it wasn't worth the risk. Poor Ethan must have felt his head spinning after the first couple of dates. It was a very sweet romance but Izzie did get a little irritating at times because she often had kneejerk reactions.

Overall, a well written, nice little romance. We needed to see more of Sam who features on the cover but doesn't feature on the page nearly enough. A sad reality in that K9 dogs are not usually allowed to run rampant around civilian territory.

I believe the next in the series features a member of Ethan's unit but the dog is not military so we might get to see more dog action in it. I look forward to reading it.

Isabella has loved and lost her soldier husband. Now she is a teacher with a classroom full of kids to love, even if her own dream of becoming a mother never came true. When he dad sets her up on a blind date she thinks he finally got it right. He is perfect except that he is military. Between growing up with a military father and her deceased soldier husband she is out. Literally out of there.Ethan loves his career as a k-9 handler in the Air Force. Isabella is the perfect woman for him except she is anti-military. Can he convince her to take a chance on him? Can Isabella risk another heartbreak because of the military? Sometime love is stronger than the fear of losing someone. Great read.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I loved Ethan but Isabella was a bit harder to like as she came off kind of rude (when she walked away from their blind date without an explanation) and she drove me crazy with her on again/off again response.

I think after being dumped once or twice, a guy might give up but I lost count the number of times that Isabella, called it quits with Ethan. You know he has to be a pretty great guy to put up with that.

She also was kind of ridiculous when Ethan wanted to check the doors were locked on her house before they left and she insisted that she didn't need a man to do that. Wow,if a guy wanted to help me out, I would say thanks!!

Good thing that Isabella had such a good friend in Meredith who was able to talk some sense into Isabella and get her to see she was closing herself off. Nice HEA and wow what a surprise at the end!!

I love to read books with men in uniforms, add k-9 to that and I am hooked. I finished the book in one day I had to see what is in the next chapter. Ethan is a great character but Isabella who was sworn of military men complicated their chemistry from their first encounter in the mall. All in all I had nice time reading while outside is a crappy weather

Interesting character dynamic, a well-written tale. It went back and forth a little too long for me with the false starts, but I enjoyed it overall.

“Blind Date Bet” begins the Man’s Best Friend series with a story of two people with very strong personalities, set in stone issues, and while perhaps not totally opposites they have enough differences to get them bickering over unusual things.

I liked Ethan and Izzy, yet they each had me frustrated with their actions on more than one occasion. I “got” why Izzy would hesitate to allow a military man in her life once again. She’s been through some major heartbreak over the death of her husband, and to be cautious is understandable. Yet… I found very little sympathy for Izzy as she is today. She’s holding on to the past with a vice grip and blaming everyone with any connection to an entity that, in her mind, caused her husband’s accident. At first, I understood her reluctance to date a military man… but as she kept digging in her heels and ignored the man on a personal level, seeing only the military connection, my frustration with this character reached an ending point. The connection, the chemistry between Ethan and Issy is obvious to strangers… yet, Izzy’s ability to run hot then cold then indifferent then annoyed then hot again became so frustrating.

Frankly, I wanted more of Sam. I wanted to experience that unique connection between a K-9 handler and his animal and was surprised that Sam wasn’t with him far more often. Or played a larger part in the romance. I also freely admit to being hooked on any K-9 involvement in a story, and I simply wanted more.

In all, I enjoyed “Blind Date Bet” even when I didn’t like how the characters were acting. It’s an intriguing beginning to a series that I will continue for I now want to know what happens to some secondary characters.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Blind Date Bet by Nicole Flockton
Never say never…
After loving and losing a soldier once, Isabella Knowles made a vow: No more military men. She’s rebuilt her life and has a classroom full of fifth graders to love, which is more than enough even though her father doesn’t agree. When he sets her up on a blind date, she only goes to humor him — never dreaming that the man she meets will tempt her to break her one rule.
In theory, Ethan Masters is not opposed to the wife, kids and house with a white picket fence. But he loves his career as a K-9 handler in the Air Force, and a dream promotion dangles before him like dog tags. While contemplating his future, he accepts a drunken bet for a blind date, never dreaming that the captivating woman fits perfectly into his ideal, all-American dream. Only one problem. She’s gun-shy about all things military.
Can Ethan prove to Isabella love is worth the risk?
This is Isabella Knowles and Ethan's story.
An alarm blared, loud and obnoxious, the second Isabella Knowles walked out of the clothes shop. She froze, glanced over her shoulder, and saw the store assistant marching toward her.
Reaching into her handbag, she rummaged for the receipt. No way was she going to be accused of stealing when she’d paid for the items in the bag fair and square.
Before the girl could reach her, movement outside of the shop registered with her. People were dashing down the mall.
“This child isn’t your responsibility. The authorities will deal with him. You need to be concerned for your own safety.”
Isabella ran her gaze over him, taking in the faded denim jeans he was wearing, the tight T-shirt that molded his broad shoulders and hugged his chest. He definitely wasn’t a store security guard or even a first responder, so she didn’t really need to follow his instructions. If he was a police officer directing her out, she’d listen. But the guy was a complete stranger. Where did he get off telling her what she could and couldn’t do?
“Actually, as someone who is in charge of the child’s education, yes, he is my responsibility. Now if you’ll excuse me, he’s run off and I need to find him.”
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Blind Date Bet by Nicole Flockton is a 3 star book.
Nicole's Books with Tule:
Blind Date Bet
Man's Best Friend series
Next Door Knight
Man's Best Friend series

Who is Isabella? Where do we find her at the opening of the book? What is going on as she is leaving? Who are Ethan and Lincoln? Who is Travis? Eric is a bit of a trip! Watching as this book unfolds, learning about Travis, and what Isabella's fears are because of him had me wiping away tears. The ending of the book had me actually reaching for tissues. In a good way of course! This is a must not miss type of book to read and enjoy!

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.

Nicole Flockton is a new author to me and I was excited to read the book maybe with that and the name of the book and the great cover I was expecting to much.
Isabella hated when Ethan kept a secret from her for a few days,yet she keeps a secret from him for months?

Blind Date Bet is the first book Nicole Flockton that I had read. This story interest me because of the military aspect, especially the fact that Ethan is a K-9 handler. I liked the story of opposites attraction.

The plot is very believable with the female lead being the one with a chip on her shoulder, sort to speak. However, it didn’t make Isabella a likable character, just a stubborn, obstinate one. So I was surprised when she took her dad’s dare. Ethan is the more even natured character. I like him and his dog, Sam. Another character I really like is Meredith. A time or two, I remember thinking Ethan should meet her, date her, etc. In the end, Isabella wins me over. She is capable of learning from her mistakes, hurrah! There is a second subplot of Isabella and her dad. This rounded out the development of needed maturity in Isabella.

Overall, it is an easy read that with a stateside setting. The characters make progress in their personal growth as well as in their relationships.

A wonderful book about finding love again after tragedy

Isabella lost her husband early in their marriage he was killed in action so she has no plans to ever have anything to do with a military man again. Ethan just seems to continually strike out in the dating world so the last thing he wants to do is go on a blind date. When he meets Isabella (Izzy) he is instantly smitten but now he has to convince her to love a military man once again. Izzy frustrated me no end she was so wishy washy wanting Ethan then dropping him she needed a swift kick up the rear. I also wish we had more about Ethan's dog Sam I loved Meredith maybe she will get her own story

All together a good book that I read in one sitting which is always a good sign.

So K-9 romances are my catnip, which means Ethan, the Air Force hero of this story, and his service dog Sam should be right up my alley. Problem is that Sam appears in exactly one scene in this book, since all the action takes place off base and military service dogs live in kennels rather than with their handlers. Apart from that one scene, it really doesn't matter what Ethan does in the armed forces, only that he's a serviceman, because Isabella, the heroine, has vowed never to get involved with a military man.

Honestly, I'm afraid I got very impatient with Isabella. She blew hot and cold constantly with poor Ethan, changed her own mind all the time, and blamed her own hangups on everyone but herself, mostly her father, who seemed only guilty of trying to do his best for her. For example, she blamed him for not telling her about an old friend's death, but she's a woman of almost 30. Why was it up to her father to keep her informed and why couldn't she stay in touch herself with someone she claimed to care about?

Ethan had some annoying issues himself including massively overprotective instincts, which Isabella quite rightly called him on (no, you do not get to tell your new girlfriend to wait while you check her house is safe for her to enter) but then Isabella was annoying herself. Thinking that the need to compromise was key to a relationship is fair enough, but in the end she was the only one who made any compromises and she failed to notice that.

At the end of the day, I was mainly disappointed because this is part of a series called Man's Best Friends, and with a K-9 on the cover this isn't what I expected, so I felt let down. There were more issues with the story than just misleading marketing, however, and because of these I'm afraid this is only getting two stars from me.

3.5 Stars!

Blind Date Bet, is Nicole Flockton's latest book offering. It is a nicely written military romance that takes place in San Antonio, Texas. This is the first book from the author's Man's Best Friend series and it can be read as a standalone.

Due to a dreadful tragedy, fifth grade teacher Isabella Knowles has no desire to date a military man. That is until her sometimes estranged father fixes her up with Ethan Masters, a K-9 handler with the air force. After a few bad dates they begin to get along, and fall in love quickly thereafter. Their time together is difficult at times and Ethan's future with the air force truly makes Izzy uncomfortable. Luckily, hot kisses, communication, and love is what keeps them working toward a future together.

I liked this book and Ms. Flockton does a terrific job of introducing and developing the characters. However, at times the plot seemed a bit repetitive. The ending left me with a huge smile on my face.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Isabella heard an alarm the second she walked out of the clothes store. The assistant told her the mall was being evacuated. She noticed the crowd was thinning than she heard what sounded like a child crying. Isabella worked her way back in. Then she was stopped by a man and said she was a fifth grade school teacher missing one of her students. Than she saw a little boy who looked to be in second grade. The man again told her to leave. That people trained in this type of situation would take care of the boy. She finally listened and left. It looked to be a serious situation and he had probably done her a favor. Ethan needed his head examined, sober he never would have agreed to a blind date, not after the time Linc had talked him into meeting kathy Birdland. A disaster the moment she opened her mouth . what he needed to do now was swear off tequila shots. They led him to wearing a red fedora so school teacher Isabella Knowles would recognize him. Linc assured him Isabella was hot. Sam was Ethan’s k-nine partner at work. Ethan was in the Air Force. He’d left her on the base to enjoy her weekend. Something pinged in his memory like he’d met her before but he couldn’t remember where. In his job Ethan needed to make quick study of his surroundings and people . even the most innocent person or object could have a bomb hidden on them. Ethan could use with a little distraction while he was stateside and for once Linc didn’t lie. He wasn’t a player like Linc. It had been a long time had anything resembling a serious relationship. He wanted to settle down, have a wife, house , and kids. He just had to find the right woman who wanted the same future. Most of Ethan’s family had been in the military. Ethan knew he'd be a career military man. Than Ethan remembered the woman in the mall the day of the bomb scare. He wondered should he go or stay. But he wasn’t one to bail on a date. Isabella recognized him and started to argue but her face turned white and she looked like she seen a ghost and got up to leave saying “ Sorry Ethan”. Ethan was military. She recognized the buzz cut he wore anywhere. In fact she had seen it on her dad all her life. The style brought back so many painful memories. What a dumb idea to go on a blind date her dad had set up. Memories she’d buried roared to life. Memories of another time and military person who had brought her happiness. Memories of when that was ripped away and she was lost in her pain. Isabella had married her H S sweetheart Travis when she was eighteen. He had enlisted. He had been killed not long after in a freak training accident. She swore than never to get involved with another enlisted man no matter how attracted she was to him. Meredith had been isabella’s friend since college Both of them had started college later than normal due to circumstances beyond their control they connected their first class they had taken together. They both had traumatic events in their pasts- Meredith had lost her parents in a car accident when she was young. So when one of them was down, the other knew how to bring them out of their funk. Her father had dared isabella to call ethan and make a another date with him. Knowing what she had went through with one man who had been in the military. She did end up calling Ethan and they were to meet at Casa Del Sanchez. Isabella made Ethan think of things he hadn’t thought of in long time. Ethan hoped this date was a success. Ethan believed that people could fall in love in a couple of days as his father had seen his mom and said that was it for him and his mom said the same thing. Isabella had fried Ethan’s senses quicker than an egg on a hot plate.
I had mixed feelings about this book. I did like how kind and patient Ethan was. But it was hard to like Isabella with how one minute she pulled Ethan to her and the next she pushed him away. If you can’t deal with him being in the military than let him go for good. I understand her past but she can either handle his career or she couldn’t she wasn’t a child. At times this book seemed a little rushed to me. I did like the premise of the plot though. I would have liked to seen Sam the dog more in this book as she was a large part of Ethan’s life. I took me awhile to get through this - longer than it should have. I did like seeing the growth of the relationship between Isabella and her father. I did chuckle at times and choked up at others while reading this book. So as you can tell I had mixed feelings about this book.

This is a face paced book that is a good read. What drew me into the book was military hero, Ethan Masters. Ethan goes on a blind date with Isabella Knowles. Despite an uncomfortable beginning, they decide to have an actual date. Yet Isabella clams up and does not want to see Ethan again. Having been widowed after her newlywed husband was killed in a training exercise, she vowed never to get involved with a man in the military. Yet the two cannot stay away from each other, and they begin to fall in love. But is love enough to break Isabella’s vow?
I liked the premise of the book, but couldn’t help but be dragged down by Isabella’s immature actions. While the story has its HEA, I felt frustrated by how Isabella acted, however, I will be reading the next book in the series.

Isabella Knowles is the daughter of a military man and the widow of a military man, she has vowed never to date a man in the military. But then not only does she run into Ethan Masters when he is evacuating a shopping centre but her father dares her to go on a date with a military man who turns out to be none other than Ethan Masters. Despite their obvious attraction to one another Isabella keeps pulling away as everything Ethan does triggers a deep rooted fear. Can she learn to love again?

Oh dear, where do I start? First, I think the cover is a misdirect because although Ethan is a K9 handler we never get to see him at work frankly I think we only see his dog Sam once and that was in a social situation where he didn't do anything. Secondly, we saw nothing about Ethan's career, we hear "he got deployed", "he was on a training exercise" but nothing more, other of course than how sad he is being away from Izzy yadda yadda. Honestly he could have been a used car salesman or a hockey player for all the story we got about his career. Third, Isabella was frankly irritating, she yo-yo'd backwards and forwards with Ethan, going on dates, then storming off, apologising and then asking him to leave. Ethan on the other hand had 'protective' instincts which seemed to consist of insisting on checking that Izzy's doors and windows were properly locked before she went out. Fair enough but does he do it to his male friends and family? My guess is not, it's a sexist belief that women (even his mother who was career military) can't lock a door properly, gah! But mostly my beef with this novel was that it was all about Ethan and Izzy's feelings, nothing really happened, there was no big emergency just page after page of Izzy moping around because she loves him (but won't admit it) but can't face him being in the military. My final criticism is that this was an odd mixture of frequent sex combined with fade to black - some might say all left to the imagination but I just found it odd.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

when isabella knowles agrees to a blind date set up by her father, she shouldn't be surprised that the guy is military. her dad is a military guy. but so was her dead husband. and after losing him in a freak training accident she's sworn that never again.

but there's something about trevor that calls to her. so when her dad dares her with a blind date bet, she decides to try again. their dates are kind of disastrous, but the chemistry is clearly there and once they stop hiding their issues, they come together in ways that make a whole lot of sense.

but as ethan's deployment looms, and he comes up for reenlistment he has some tough choices to face. the problem is that he doesn't quite face them with isabella. and this causes some problems, as one might imagine.

i don't want to give away the whole plot, so suffice to say that this was an enjoyable read.

**blind date bet will publish on january 22, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/tule publishing in exchange for my honest review.