kle105's review against another edition
5.0
I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I will say that I am biased since I own a rescue dog, but I loved this story.
Jane was in a struggling marriage when her husband got the cancer diagnosis. She decided to stay till the end, and then she also lost her dog. Losing her dog hit her harder. Fighting with her mother in law regarding her husband's last wishes, she was glad to hit the road for San Diego.
Her Aunt needs her help at her B&B so she can have surgery. The only thing is Jane likes to bake but she hates people. One the way she finds a dog that is abandoned at a rest stop. This dog will set the stage for her healing and lessons on how to live.
This book makes me want to chase my dream of opening my own B&B sooner rather than later.
Jane was in a struggling marriage when her husband got the cancer diagnosis. She decided to stay till the end, and then she also lost her dog. Losing her dog hit her harder. Fighting with her mother in law regarding her husband's last wishes, she was glad to hit the road for San Diego.
Her Aunt needs her help at her B&B so she can have surgery. The only thing is Jane likes to bake but she hates people. One the way she finds a dog that is abandoned at a rest stop. This dog will set the stage for her healing and lessons on how to live.
This book makes me want to chase my dream of opening my own B&B sooner rather than later.
hobbes4626's review against another edition
4.0
I was fortunate enough to receive a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and author Jackie Bouchard.
I would recommend this book, especially for those animal lovers! The story line and characters were so well developed, it felt as if I were reading a true story! Jane's husband and her dog Barnum, pass away within weeks of each other. Barnum, being higher on the totem pole, is more missed then the husband. Jane and her husband were having difficulties and were close to divorce but became ill and Jane became care giver. Jane, who feels the guilt of not being that perfect grieving widow, packs up and begins a new life in Prescott, AZ at her aunt and uncles B&B. Once there, life takes Jane and Jackie's readers through loss, love and rediscovery.
Great, cute and quick read.... especially for one rainy, Saturday afternoon!
I would recommend this book, especially for those animal lovers! The story line and characters were so well developed, it felt as if I were reading a true story! Jane's husband and her dog Barnum, pass away within weeks of each other. Barnum, being higher on the totem pole, is more missed then the husband. Jane and her husband were having difficulties and were close to divorce but became ill and Jane became care giver. Jane, who feels the guilt of not being that perfect grieving widow, packs up and begins a new life in Prescott, AZ at her aunt and uncles B&B. Once there, life takes Jane and Jackie's readers through loss, love and rediscovery.
Great, cute and quick read.... especially for one rainy, Saturday afternoon!
life_full_ofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved the plot, but I really don't like when books are written in the present tense. It's a little hard to get around, but well worth it.
thechronicknitter's review
4.0
This was a deeply moving book. cancer-related events are a big part of the plot, so if you are trying to avoid/get away from cancer than this book is not for you. The entire thing is not depressingly sad though you will likely feel that way at the beginning of the book.
The reader follows a recently widowed woman through the first year after her husband's and dog's deaths from cancer. We watch as she struggles to get her life back together, and in truth figure out what she really wants. Like all of us she believes she knows what she wants. But after spending time helping out at her aunt and uncle's B&B, and falling in love with a dog she rescued from a rest stop, she starts to question her plans. She comes to realize that dreams and needs don't always match up with the plans we make for ourselves. This was a fun quick read that I definitely recommend.
The reader follows a recently widowed woman through the first year after her husband's and dog's deaths from cancer. We watch as she struggles to get her life back together, and in truth figure out what she really wants. Like all of us she believes she knows what she wants. But after spending time helping out at her aunt and uncle's B&B, and falling in love with a dog she rescued from a rest stop, she starts to question her plans. She comes to realize that dreams and needs don't always match up with the plans we make for ourselves. This was a fun quick read that I definitely recommend.
kargoforth's review
3.0
This is a story about a journey through grief, hope, love, loss, and coming to terms with one's self. If you are a dog (and possibly cat) lover and have ever had a strong bond between yourself and that dog, you will identify with Jane's sense of loss. If you have struggled in marriage and dealt with devastating disease, you will identify with Jane. The book is at once heavy duty emotion and light-hearted funny situations. This is a book I found enjoyable reading in a rainy day.
jennthumphries's review
5.0
Words can't express how much I love this book. Jane is basically me, the only difference I could find is that I consider myself to be a maternal person, and she's never wanted kids. Beyond that we are the same person. A beautiful story with a great message and a lovely, hopeful ending. What could be better?
traditionson's review
4.0
I picked this book up on a whim, thinking that maybe someday i would give it a go. I was surprised by the starting bleak tone of the book. Two deaths, not knowing how to tell others or hide your feelings. It was a brilliant read of discovery and doggie love. The only downside which is a very personal thing is the lists, wasn't a great fan but a good way of getting across the characters thoughts on a situation in a simple but effective way. 4.5 stars :D
kristi518's review
2.0
I really, really wanted to love this book as I had read the author's previous book, What the Dog Ate,and loved it. This book just didn't "hit the spot" so to speak. I can't put my finger on just what it was about this book that I didn't care for when everyone else seemed to love it. Could it have been then issues of death and cancer? Not sure since I knew these were parts of the book going in.
The characters are likable and I feel they are well developed. The story was good and I liked the storyline of Jane going to help her aunt and uncle out. I liked some of the situations Jane found herself in with the visitors to the B&B.
There was nothing specific I didn't like about the book I just didn't find it as enjoyable as the other book by this author I had read. I was hoping I could give this book a four or five star rating and I'm kind of sorry I have to give it a two star but for me this book was just O.K. Not sure I would recommend it to anyone.
The characters are likable and I feel they are well developed. The story was good and I liked the storyline of Jane going to help her aunt and uncle out. I liked some of the situations Jane found herself in with the visitors to the B&B.
There was nothing specific I didn't like about the book I just didn't find it as enjoyable as the other book by this author I had read. I was hoping I could give this book a four or five star rating and I'm kind of sorry I have to give it a two star but for me this book was just O.K. Not sure I would recommend it to anyone.
zoephee's review
5.0
I really liked this book! While the beginning is very sad it was an awesome read! There's plenty of humor and I loved the characters, especially the dog.
stacyroth's review against another edition
3.0
I won this book as a FirstRead.
Within a couple of weeks, Jane Bailey loses both her husband and her dog to cancer. What no one knows is that shortly before his cancer diagnosis, she had been planning to leave her husband so she could move back to her hometown of San Diego, and as a result, she misses the dog even more than her husband. With nothing to keep her in Philadelphia anymore, she makes her plans to move. In the meantime, her Aunt Sugar needs surgery and asks Jane to fill in at their B&B in Prescott, Arizona while she and Uncle Graham are gone. As an introvert, she is not thrilled about the prospect of dealing with the guests, but the idea of saving up money while she job hunts appeals, and she accepts. On her way to her aunt and uncle's B&B, she finds an abandoned dog at a rest stop, whom they name Maybe.
I am a huge animal lover, so the dog portion of the book appealed to me right away. Also, I am an introvert, so I could really relate with Jane in that way. Despite these things, there was something that made me not connect with the book the way I thought I would. It was still a good book, however, and people looking for a feel-good story would probably enjoy it.
Within a couple of weeks, Jane Bailey loses both her husband and her dog to cancer. What no one knows is that shortly before his cancer diagnosis, she had been planning to leave her husband so she could move back to her hometown of San Diego, and as a result, she misses the dog even more than her husband. With nothing to keep her in Philadelphia anymore, she makes her plans to move. In the meantime, her Aunt Sugar needs surgery and asks Jane to fill in at their B&B in Prescott, Arizona while she and Uncle Graham are gone. As an introvert, she is not thrilled about the prospect of dealing with the guests, but the idea of saving up money while she job hunts appeals, and she accepts. On her way to her aunt and uncle's B&B, she finds an abandoned dog at a rest stop, whom they name Maybe.
I am a huge animal lover, so the dog portion of the book appealed to me right away. Also, I am an introvert, so I could really relate with Jane in that way. Despite these things, there was something that made me not connect with the book the way I thought I would. It was still a good book, however, and people looking for a feel-good story would probably enjoy it.