clt677's review against another edition
4.0
It was a pretty easy read that didn't require much thought (sometimes it's nice to read those types of books between heavier reading). The story was somewhat predictable and the end tied up a little too nicely for me (but I suppose making it more complex might have made it a less breezy read).
lindakay99's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this book! It was a great recommended read!! :)
birdkeeperklink's review against another edition
4.0
This book was pretty good. I found the main character pretty easy to identify with.
It was the resolution I had a problem with, because it basically wasn't one. The resolution with the mom, that is. It was just kind of, 'Well, she is the way she is, and we'll just have to get along as best we can.'
But I suppose that wasn't really the important part anyway--the growth of the character was the important part. She gained a better understanding of herself and the people around her, and it was interesting to find a book that put that over tying everything up in a neat ribbon and saying, 'All better!'
I did like how the romance tied up, though. Very satisfying.
It was the resolution I had a problem with, because it basically wasn't one. The resolution with the mom, that is. It was just kind of, 'Well, she is the way she is, and we'll just have to get along as best we can.'
But I suppose that wasn't really the important part anyway--the growth of the character was the important part. She gained a better understanding of herself and the people around her, and it was interesting to find a book that put that over tying everything up in a neat ribbon and saying, 'All better!'
I did like how the romance tied up, though. Very satisfying.
sandi67's review against another edition
5.0
This book was really sweet, with a great heroine who always seems to land in trouble. Ordering a dog off the internet without knowing what she was spending or getting into is only the beginning. Fortunately it ends with a Happily ever After!
dja777's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! At the beginning I thought it was going to be a fairly typical chick-lit book, but after the first quarter or so I was hooked. It has a lovable (but not anthropomorphized) dog, fun characters, and valuable things to say about how friendships change as we grow. I really enjoyed it and would read it more than once. I look forward to Larkin's next book!
cbail12's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a beautiful, unexpected read for me. I loved how I could see myself in Van and caught myself smiling while reading it. The writing was amazing and made me feel like I was a part of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs.
sweetdream's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
hanniegracie95's review against another edition
3.0
*This has a tiny, tiny spoiler in it.
Well... Three stars, I guess.
I really didn't like the main character. I get she was written to be "relatable" but she came across as rude and obnoxious, and kind of unhygienic. She didn't seem to have any chemistry with any of the other characters. Instead of taking two seconds to explain a very small problem to the love interest, she chooses to lie just because she doesn't feel like explaining, and cause a whole other issue. It was just really annoying to read through all of her complaining when it was her own fault for lying in the first place. I don't think I've been this annoyed with a protagonist since I read the Selection Trilogy (I love those books, but America Singer is YIKES).
The dog is great though, and the love interest is really, really cute.
I'm not really one for contemporary and despite my issues with the main character, I really did feel intrigued about where the story was going, and always found myself reading another chapter or two before I put the book down. The dog wasn't as big of a part in the story as I would have liked, but a book with a dog in a small role is better than a book with no dog at all.
Well... Three stars, I guess.
I really didn't like the main character. I get she was written to be "relatable" but she came across as rude and obnoxious, and kind of unhygienic. She didn't seem to have any chemistry with any of the other characters. Instead of taking two seconds to explain a very small problem to the love interest, she chooses to lie just because she doesn't feel like explaining, and cause a whole other issue. It was just really annoying to read through all of her complaining when it was her own fault for lying in the first place. I don't think I've been this annoyed with a protagonist since I read the Selection Trilogy (I love those books, but America Singer is YIKES).
The dog is great though, and the love interest is really, really cute.
I'm not really one for contemporary and despite my issues with the main character, I really did feel intrigued about where the story was going, and always found myself reading another chapter or two before I put the book down. The dog wasn't as big of a part in the story as I would have liked, but a book with a dog in a small role is better than a book with no dog at all.
lynnedf's review against another edition
4.0
Such a charming story! You go into it thinking it's going to be about a girl, Van, who is in love with her best friend's boyfriend; however the story is more about Van getting to know herself, falling in love with a dog named Joe (how she ends up getting him is hilarious, as are their first few days together), and learning to deal with the loss of her mother. It's about so much more than a love story; it cute and quirky, it's light and exactly what I needed to read. If you are a dog lover/owner you are going to appreciate Van's relationship with Joe. You'll laugh at his antics and you'll just totally get it. Adorable story that left a smile on my face long after I put it down.