kle105's review against another edition
4.0
This was a cute story that dog moms can relate to. Alex decided at an early age that kids just wasn't something she wanted in life, but being a dog mom was important to her. She loves her life with her husband and dog Marie. Her house is designed like an interior designer would want it to look, because she is one.
Her perfect looking life is disrupted when a young girl shows up claiming to be her husbands daughter and she wants to move in, with her own baby in tow. This throws up so many disruptions and throws Alex off balance. The love and attention her dog Marie shows the newcomers leads Alex to her own acceptance. Laugh out loud moments, that any dog mom can appreciate.
I received a free book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Her perfect looking life is disrupted when a young girl shows up claiming to be her husbands daughter and she wants to move in, with her own baby in tow. This throws up so many disruptions and throws Alex off balance. The love and attention her dog Marie shows the newcomers leads Alex to her own acceptance. Laugh out loud moments, that any dog mom can appreciate.
I received a free book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
hobbes4626's review against another edition
5.0
House Trained by Jackie Bouchard is a women's fiction/adult fiction book. The main character Alex Halstad, is a professional interior designer and proud dog owner. She is married to Barry, who is a librarian. They both have decided to remain childless. Alex believes that having a dog is easier then having a baby. She repeats this mantra throughout the beginning of the book. She wholeheartedly believes this until a child Barry never knows he had, shows up at their front door, with child in her arms. Alex, who thrives on routine, is thrown off course. Her motives, that at first are selfish, turn into something entirely different.
Alex is that super business women, who is trying to get her business off of the ground. She tries to salvage her business by dipping into her and Barry's savings without telling him that their savings is just about gone. Alex's plan is to replace the money before Barry even finds out. Things are going according to plan until the doorbell rings. Marie, who is fresh out of high school, fighting with her mother, discovers that a father who she thought was dead, is truly alive. Marie, with her infant daughter Ruthie go to visit their father and stay the summer until she can decide about college.
Alex, who just wants Marie to make up with her mother, develop a little relationship with herself and father, and go home, learns that sometimes our selfish motives don't always turn out as we planned. Although in the sidelines, Alex's and Barry's sixty plus pound dog, who ironically is also named Marie, shows the main characters what selfless love and acceptance really is. This character, although seen through Alex's eyes, is the character who shows bravery and strength. If only we human's can learn from our animals.
I would highly recommend reading this book. The characters are so well developed that it feels like you are reading a story about people that may actually live in your neighborhood. From page one, the reader is entwined in the story. This is the type of story that call's out to the reader....."read me." It is written in first person narrative meaning that it is Alex who is telling the story. Everything is from Alex's point of view. Alex is a very likable character, so you cannot help but see her point of view. At one point Alex discovers "It's not easy to tell your parents you're not going to be who they what you to be, that your not going to live the life they'd imagined for you." Through her new relationship with her newly found stepdaughter she finds out what is truly important in life.
Alex is that super business women, who is trying to get her business off of the ground. She tries to salvage her business by dipping into her and Barry's savings without telling him that their savings is just about gone. Alex's plan is to replace the money before Barry even finds out. Things are going according to plan until the doorbell rings. Marie, who is fresh out of high school, fighting with her mother, discovers that a father who she thought was dead, is truly alive. Marie, with her infant daughter Ruthie go to visit their father and stay the summer until she can decide about college.
Alex, who just wants Marie to make up with her mother, develop a little relationship with herself and father, and go home, learns that sometimes our selfish motives don't always turn out as we planned. Although in the sidelines, Alex's and Barry's sixty plus pound dog, who ironically is also named Marie, shows the main characters what selfless love and acceptance really is. This character, although seen through Alex's eyes, is the character who shows bravery and strength. If only we human's can learn from our animals.
I would highly recommend reading this book. The characters are so well developed that it feels like you are reading a story about people that may actually live in your neighborhood. From page one, the reader is entwined in the story. This is the type of story that call's out to the reader....."read me." It is written in first person narrative meaning that it is Alex who is telling the story. Everything is from Alex's point of view. Alex is a very likable character, so you cannot help but see her point of view. At one point Alex discovers "It's not easy to tell your parents you're not going to be who they what you to be, that your not going to live the life they'd imagined for you." Through her new relationship with her newly found stepdaughter she finds out what is truly important in life.
karak's review against another edition
2.0
There was nothing likable about Alex. She lies to everyone around her and doesn't take responsibilities for her actions.
klndonnelly's review against another edition
3.0
Review at Beverages and Books:
http://beveragesandbooks.com/?p=317
http://beveragesandbooks.com/?p=317
bookish_heidi's review against another edition
5.0
So much love in one little book
I will read it again and again!!! Bonded with each character and I'm sad its over. Love!!! Absolutely love this book!!!
I will read it again and again!!! Bonded with each character and I'm sad its over. Love!!! Absolutely love this book!!!
gennyfer's review against another edition
4.0
An after happily-ever-after tale...
This novel offers a glimpse into a woman’s relationships with her family. Why do we make the assumptions and choices we do? Why won’t we let loved ones know who we are? Alex is not a protagonist with clay feet. She is hiding something she messed up from her husband. When his daughter and granddaughter end up on their doorstep, the defiantly childless couple have to come to terms with life.
It’s a light read, with less plot and more character exploration. Would be fun for a beach read.
This novel offers a glimpse into a woman’s relationships with her family. Why do we make the assumptions and choices we do? Why won’t we let loved ones know who we are? Alex is not a protagonist with clay feet. She is hiding something she messed up from her husband. When his daughter and granddaughter end up on their doorstep, the defiantly childless couple have to come to terms with life.
It’s a light read, with less plot and more character exploration. Would be fun for a beach read.
fleeta_mullins_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This book was kind of a...well...to copy another reviewer, it was a "breath of fresh air". The issues weren't exactly life or death (no murder, no evil, etc). The people were real with real flaws, they were good people who made poor choices, and worked within their own means to make life better. The focus on the dog fun to read. I will go pick up her other books from the library. Enjoyed it!
prpltrtl946's review against another edition
4.0
A surprise daughter and a great dog
And they bring lots of interesting developments to this story. Some were quite frustrating, while others brought heart warming smiles.
And they bring lots of interesting developments to this story. Some were quite frustrating, while others brought heart warming smiles.
sandyd's review
4.0
Childless by choice, the main character deals with some family issues, economic problems, and her marriage and dog.