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willowthewildandco's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kerrywyler's review against another edition
2.0
I was waiting for the books I ordered online to arrive. I grabbed something just to tide me over and figured it couldn't be that bad if it was about dogs.
This book was eminently forgettable. Pretty unoriginal, and roll-your-eyes predictable in a good-guy-meets-fragile-woman-grieving-and-they-lived-happily-ever-after kind of way. Unless you want something to read in a couple of hours on the beach, I really wouldn't bother.
This book was eminently forgettable. Pretty unoriginal, and roll-your-eyes predictable in a good-guy-meets-fragile-woman-grieving-and-they-lived-happily-ever-after kind of way. Unless you want something to read in a couple of hours on the beach, I really wouldn't bother.
booknerd_therapist's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I rarely write reviews any more, but this book made me so furious I figured I would write one.
I wanted to love this book. I am a therapist and I LOVE animal-assisted therapy. I have never denied a client a letter for an emotional support animal. In short, I thought this would be an ideal marriage of my two loves: mental health and animals.
Instead, it was a train wreck. You know from the first chapter they're going to find the dog, because the protagonist's entire worldview depends on it. So, no real suspense or anything. Just waiting for the thing to happen.
I could have been okay with that if Maggie wasn't such a horrible therapist. Every chapter felt like "Which ethics code are we violating today?" For starters, a therapist that is suffering severe mental health conditions -- and she is -- has an ethical responsibility to pause their practice and get help. Not once was that even a consideration. Sure, she relies on her friends, but does she ever actually get the professional help she needs to be a competent therapist? No. Even after her supposed big secret is revealed, she chooses to continue running her practice as usual.
Then, she pole-vaults over basic boundaries with a potential client to instead pursue a relationship with her as a friend. Can the reader even imagine if, say, a surgeon did this? "Nah, I'm not going to operate on you, but let's be besties instead?" This is wildly inappropriate, even though she did in the end return the check.
And because we're not done cringing yet, she knowingly violates ethics to pursue a romantic relationship with the not-client's brother. She even has a conversation with her friend about whether or not it's ethical, but her friend simply says "break the rules." Great advice.
Oh, but she is human, she has human feelings... Yes, we all do. Therapists, like anyone else, screw up sometimes. But she is never held accountable for anything, and never even admits she has done anything wrong.
This COULD HAVE been a lovely story about two people helping each other, but taking the rogue therapist angle was incredibly insulting to actual therapists. We are constantly dealing with negative backlash for every little thing people want to blame us for, and this author chose to put us in the worst possible light.
I wanted to love this book. I am a therapist and I LOVE animal-assisted therapy. I have never denied a client a letter for an emotional support animal. In short, I thought this would be an ideal marriage of my two loves: mental health and animals.
Instead, it was a train wreck. You know from the first chapter they're going to find the dog, because the protagonist's entire worldview depends on it. So, no real suspense or anything. Just waiting for the thing to happen.
I could have been okay with that if Maggie wasn't such a horrible therapist. Every chapter felt like "Which ethics code are we violating today?" For starters, a therapist that is suffering severe mental health conditions -- and she is -- has an ethical responsibility to pause their practice and get help. Not once was that even a consideration. Sure, she relies on her friends, but does she ever actually get the professional help she needs to be a competent therapist? No. Even after her supposed big secret is revealed, she chooses to continue running her practice as usual.
Then, she pole-vaults over basic boundaries with a potential client to instead pursue a relationship with her as a friend. Can the reader even imagine if, say, a surgeon did this? "Nah, I'm not going to operate on you, but let's be besties instead?" This is wildly inappropriate, even though she did in the end return the check.
And because we're not done cringing yet, she knowingly violates ethics to pursue a romantic relationship with the not-client's brother. She even has a conversation with her friend about whether or not it's ethical, but her friend simply says "break the rules." Great advice.
Oh, but she is human, she has human feelings... Yes, we all do. Therapists, like anyone else, screw up sometimes. But she is never held accountable for anything, and never even admits she has done anything wrong.
This COULD HAVE been a lovely story about two people helping each other, but taking the rogue therapist angle was incredibly insulting to actual therapists. We are constantly dealing with negative backlash for every little thing people want to blame us for, and this author chose to put us in the worst possible light.
lynniew13's review against another edition
4.0
"Sometimes grief cuts us off from the people and activities we love for the simple reason that we don't want to feel happy, which feels too much like moving on" (Donahue 101).
yelolab_greatdane's review against another edition
4.0
“We think that because our dogs are by our side everyday, exhale they are our best friends, because the love we feel for them is so pure, so funny and beautiful and profound, that our dog will be the dog that beats the odds.”
This book transports you to San Francisco and emotionally compels you to connect with Maggie. We learn from her the importance a dog plays in our everyday life and everyday struggle. A great book for dog lovers everywhere!
Now go give a snuggle and pat to your dog!
This book transports you to San Francisco and emotionally compels you to connect with Maggie. We learn from her the importance a dog plays in our everyday life and everyday struggle. A great book for dog lovers everywhere!
Now go give a snuggle and pat to your dog!
kincorvaia's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book. It made me laugh, cry, and smile through the entire 260 pages. It wasn't the kind of book I usually read, but I enjoyed every page of it.
suzannefine's review against another edition
4.0
I've enjoyed all of Meg Donohue's books, and this one does not disappoint. I enjoyed the character development, and was very happy with how the book concluded. I would recommend this, as well as all of Meg's books.
setaian's review against another edition
5.0
When Maggie moves across the country it's for a fresh start and to open her own practice as a grief counselor specialising in the grief of losing a beloved pet. Then her dog suddenly dies and her fresh start comes to a shuddering halt and she is crushed with anxiety. Agoraphobia, mysophobia, fear of heights and social anxiety have all worked together to make her a prisoner within her home.
Then Anya, a surly young woman meets her at the insistence of her older brother. Anya insists that her dog didn't run away but was stolen and she is searching the streets of San Francisco for him. Maggie knows she can help Anya and that Anya desperately needs her help, but she won't accept it unless Maggie helps her look for her dog.
Together they search, Maggie battling her anxiety every step and Anya finding the friendship she needs.
I have so much love for this book. And it's not just that I love dogs and anyone who knows and loves dogs will see their dog in this book. It really is a book with a big heart. It's simple. Cute. Quirky. And had me from the very beginning.
Then Anya, a surly young woman meets her at the insistence of her older brother. Anya insists that her dog didn't run away but was stolen and she is searching the streets of San Francisco for him. Maggie knows she can help Anya and that Anya desperately needs her help, but she won't accept it unless Maggie helps her look for her dog.
Together they search, Maggie battling her anxiety every step and Anya finding the friendship she needs.
I have so much love for this book. And it's not just that I love dogs and anyone who knows and loves dogs will see their dog in this book. It really is a book with a big heart. It's simple. Cute. Quirky. And had me from the very beginning.