Harriet is shy and has decided to expand her horizons and mentally grow, so this winter she is challenging herself to do things that make her uncomfortable. MOONLIGHT OVER MANHATTAN by Sarah Morgan focuses on two characters, Harriet Knight and the emergency room doctor she first meets after discovering that there's a reason she never tried online dating sooner. Ethan Black is mainly used to dealing with trauma victims, and fakers in need of recreational painkillers, so it's not until he meets Harriet again -- in her day job as a dog walker -- that he gets to know her.

The other main character in the tale is the lively spaniel named Madi. She is parked with Ethan while his sister has to go out of state and requires the services of a dog walking firm due to Ethan's long working hours. This nicely brings Ethan and Harriet together again, though with Madi's distracted behaviour in a strange apartment it's still not an easy situation. Only time will tell if the two are really suited. Meanwhile, Harriet has to remember to try more challenges. Surrounding herself with pets and excluding people is all too easy.

This is an adult romance for the modern young woman. Harriet is shown as a strongly loyal and supportive person who is working with her twin sister to keep their business going. She has room in her heart for many less glamorous side characters who don't normally fill pages in a romance book. I would actually have preferred if Harriet had undertaken more challenges than she did, but they become limited to such matters as entering a crowded room at a party, when I was expecting her to abseil down a building. I also find it puzzling that her volunteering with animals didn't enable her to meet like-minded men. New York is not the only setting as a nice rural contrast is provided, and we see plenty of snow, with resultant problems.

Sarah Morgan has written several books based in New York City or the surrounding area, and all these light romances are standalones in a series called From Manhattan with Love. Dog lovers should certainly enjoy chuckling at the antics in MOONLIGHT OVER MANHATTAN.

Book Summary

She'll risk everything for her own Christmas miracle…

Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list—dealing with Madi's temporary dog sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry.

Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi—how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple—he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide twenty-four-hour care. But there's nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel.

Ethan's kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all—letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas?