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epellicci's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Dog Days is a book that will stay with me for a long time. The story rotates through three main characters lives, exploring love, loss, and moving on with soulful class and gentle wit. It is light, easy reading and I loved it from the first chapter. Waller deals with intense topics in a way that is emotionally intelligent. She doesn't sugar coat, minimise, or stigmatise her characters challenges or their behaviour. The book doesn't feel like it is trying to fix anyone, and because of this it is relatable and heartfelt. Guided by the unconditional love of animals, Dog Days is a journey through complex feelings, mistakes, and life. It balances tentative joy tastefully against heartbreak to form the perfect 'learning to love' tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Grief
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Self harm, and Suicide
missredreads20's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Self harm and Domestic abuse
alexiswiththefreckles's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I went into this expecting a light-hearted story where dogs create a warm and fuzzy feeling. That is not the case. Instead, they are more akin to background cast in a play. The real focus here is on the humans and all of their flaws. There were lines scattered throughout the book that I think Waller really hit the nail on the head in describing what it means to be human, and I love finding those like buried treasure. However, I do like an unlikeable character every now and then.. but George was too much and I found his chapters hard to read. Character growth did feel a little too concentrated to the last 10% of the book, but that's just me being picky.
Overall, a story that tackles loss with brutal honesty and reminds us that our canine friends are always there to remind us to be human.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
Overall, a story that tackles loss with brutal honesty and reminds us that our canine friends are always there to remind us to be human.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Death, Grief, Mental illness, and Self harm
Moderate: Miscarriage and Homophobia
katieb94's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Be aware there are trigger warnings of grief, self harm, homophobia, domestic abuse and suicide so if you’re not keen on those topics in books I would avoid it. It is a lovely story, with beautiful writing, but it’s always good to be aware of the content.
The book follows three people, George- an elderly man who has recently lost his wife, Dan- a therapist who doesn’t really know who he is, and Lizzie- a woman hiding from reality. We follow them as their lives change for better and worse.
George hates his dog (a sausage dog his wife bought before she died) Dan adores his dog, and Lizzie’s dog isn’t really hers but they have a connection anyway.
I own a dog myself, and I know how much a dog can help mental health so in some areas this book had really relatable moments.
It’s a really well written novel, the writing flows and I liked how it flipped between all the characters. They didn’t have a connection but at some points their lives would intersect.
There were twists, there were shocks, and there was a moment that made me cry.
I really enjoyed this book and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.
4.5/5 stars.
A brilliant read that shows just how much having a dog can help a person through their darkest days.
Be aware there are trigger warnings of grief, self harm, homophobia, domestic abuse and suicide so if you’re not keen on those topics in books I would avoid it. It is a lovely story, with beautiful writing, but it’s always good to be aware of the content.
The book follows three people, George- an elderly man who has recently lost his wife, Dan- a therapist who doesn’t really know who he is, and Lizzie- a woman hiding from reality. We follow them as their lives change for better and worse.
George hates his dog (a sausage dog his wife bought before she died) Dan adores his dog, and Lizzie’s dog isn’t really hers but they have a connection anyway.
I own a dog myself, and I know how much a dog can help mental health so in some areas this book had really relatable moments.
It’s a really well written novel, the writing flows and I liked how it flipped between all the characters. They didn’t have a connection but at some points their lives would intersect.
There were twists, there were shocks, and there was a moment that made me cry.
I really enjoyed this book and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.
4.5/5 stars.
A brilliant read that shows just how much having a dog can help a person through their darkest days.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Self harm, Domestic abuse, and Grief
Minor: Homophobia
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