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missymuirhead'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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Violence
schehab's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
loriluo's review
4.0
Perhaps I should caveat my review by noting: while I certainly appreciate dogs, I am not a dog owner (and don't think I could be one). But for the current dog owners and lovers, this is definitely a book for you.
Dog Days tells the stories of 3 characters: George, a senior who has lost his wife; Dan, a man struggling with OCD while trying to be a therapist for others; and Lizzie, a woman who has been physically abused in her past and is trying to care for her son Lennie while living in a shelter. Their lives all come together thanks to the dogs in their lives, and is a touching story of how these three learn to support one another, and how their pets are an integral part of that process. The writing in this novel flows well, and I appreciated how well the author handled both humor and sorrow side-by-side. The characters were so lovable as well, and I felt invested in each of their stories and their character growth throughout the novel. Even if you aren't a current dog owner or lover, I think you'll be able to take away something from this story.
Dog Days tells the stories of 3 characters: George, a senior who has lost his wife; Dan, a man struggling with OCD while trying to be a therapist for others; and Lizzie, a woman who has been physically abused in her past and is trying to care for her son Lennie while living in a shelter. Their lives all come together thanks to the dogs in their lives, and is a touching story of how these three learn to support one another, and how their pets are an integral part of that process. The writing in this novel flows well, and I appreciated how well the author handled both humor and sorrow side-by-side. The characters were so lovable as well, and I felt invested in each of their stories and their character growth throughout the novel. Even if you aren't a current dog owner or lover, I think you'll be able to take away something from this story.
livres_de_bloss's review against another edition
4.0
While a deeply moving and highly readable book, this wasn’t what I was expecting at all.
I liked the growth that the characters showed as we got to know them:
I hated George for most of the story (until he has the self realization toward the end). I felt like he was abusive to Ellen and she was rather afraid of him which was sad. Betty was such a treasure and didn’t deserve his ire either.
Dan and Atticus... I didn’t see that coming and it was devastatingly painful to read.
Lizzie was a headcase. Greg and Luke should have pressed charges. Heck even Tess could have! How she was allowed to work in daycare after abducting her own kid was baffling. The ending where she’s back with Greg and her kid felt forced and trite. She should have been in jail.
He dogs were all brilliant. I wished they’d featured a bit more prominently to balance this heavy story out a bit more.
I’m going to ruminate further on this book, I’m sure. It was unlike anything I’ve read!
I liked the growth that the characters showed as we got to know them:
I hated George for most of the story (until he has the self realization toward the end). I felt like he was abusive to Ellen and she was rather afraid of him which was sad. Betty was such a treasure and didn’t deserve his ire either.
Dan and Atticus... I didn’t see that coming and it was devastatingly painful to read.
Lizzie was a headcase. Greg and Luke should have pressed charges. Heck even Tess could have! How she was allowed to work in daycare after abducting her own kid was baffling. The ending where she’s back with Greg and her kid felt forced and trite. She should have been in jail.
He dogs were all brilliant. I wished they’d featured a bit more prominently to balance this heavy story out a bit more.
I’m going to ruminate further on this book, I’m sure. It was unlike anything I’ve read!
hanjackson's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
siani's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
maria_silv_reads's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow!!! That was a rollercoaster of a read, many emotions that came with it and crazy twists nearer the end. The 3 different POVs was a challenge to keep track of but made me more sense as I got further into the book. A very emotional read with some sensitive subjects but some relatable themes and a book I would recommend to anyone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcoholism
_the_next_chapter's review
3.0
This book had me intrigued the entire way through. It is spoken from three different perspectives, I thought that would confuse me but, in the end, as they all come together as one, it all makes sense. In each perspective there is a different dog that plays an important role in the characters' lives. There is a plot twist that I was 100% not expecting and had to double check that I hadn't picked up a different book!
kle105's review
2.0
This book started out really well at the beginning. George the grumpy widow who lost his wife provided some comic relief. Though he was sharp with his tongue he had a reason to be, his wife died and didn't tell him she was sick. she also got him a dachshund dog before she left. Her letters she left him to find were sweet and understanding of how hard it would be for him. She took care of everything for him, so he was rudderless.
Dan has OCD and as a therapist he knew how to help others if not himself. He struggled on how to care for his new patient Atticus as he really won't tell him why he decided to get help. However Dan is struggling with his feelings towards Atticus. He hasn't really explored his sexuality but is starting to realize his attraction for Atticus is not going away.
Lizzie is staying at a women's shelter for domestic violence, covered in scars. Her son Lenny is loving his new teacher but Lizzie is staying away.
The lives of these three intersect in different ways, and the thing they have in common is the dogs they own or care for but that is about it.
Where this book took a turn for the worse is the meeting of George, Dan and Atticus. While George was upset his wife's clothes were given away without his knowledge, the use of hate speech and homophobic slurs was reprehensible, and his very little care even in the future was insensitive and hateful to the community.
Also the ending with Lizzie while it provided a shock value was again insensitive to the community who suffer/survive domestic violence. There was no real happy ending for anyone and won't consider this a romance.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley however all opinions are my own.
Dan has OCD and as a therapist he knew how to help others if not himself. He struggled on how to care for his new patient Atticus as he really won't tell him why he decided to get help. However Dan is struggling with his feelings towards Atticus. He hasn't really explored his sexuality but is starting to realize his attraction for Atticus is not going away.
Lizzie is staying at a women's shelter for domestic violence, covered in scars. Her son Lenny is loving his new teacher but Lizzie is staying away.
The lives of these three intersect in different ways, and the thing they have in common is the dogs they own or care for but that is about it.
Where this book took a turn for the worse is the meeting of George, Dan and Atticus. While George was upset his wife's clothes were given away without his knowledge, the use of hate speech and homophobic slurs was reprehensible, and his very little care even in the future was insensitive and hateful to the community.
Also the ending with Lizzie while it provided a shock value was again insensitive to the community who suffer/survive domestic violence. There was no real happy ending for anyone and won't consider this a romance.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley however all opinions are my own.
mellymoo79's review
3.0
This has probably been my most difficult book to review thus far. I soooooooo wanted to love it, but after much consideration, I guess I can just say that overall I quite enjoyed it.
It’s a story that is based around three central characters that are all connected in some way but do not know each other directly. They all have their own (very sensitive) issues that they’re working through and for the most part are not very likeable if I’m honest BUT what they do have are some beautiful canine friends, which for me was the initial appeal of the book and for the short amount of time they were featured, those furry friends stole the show for me.
This book covers lots of sensitive issues including loss, anxiety, depression, domestic abuse amongst other things so I found myself experiencing every emotion as I read....anger, sorrow, frustration, joy, happiness, confusion.....all the same emotions I imagine the main characters felt themselves.
As a dog lover though, I so enjoyed how the author portrayed that each dog has their own personality and how dogs in general can be such a comfort in both times of turmoil AND happiness.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and of course the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It’s a story that is based around three central characters that are all connected in some way but do not know each other directly. They all have their own (very sensitive) issues that they’re working through and for the most part are not very likeable if I’m honest BUT what they do have are some beautiful canine friends, which for me was the initial appeal of the book and for the short amount of time they were featured, those furry friends stole the show for me.
This book covers lots of sensitive issues including loss, anxiety, depression, domestic abuse amongst other things so I found myself experiencing every emotion as I read....anger, sorrow, frustration, joy, happiness, confusion.....all the same emotions I imagine the main characters felt themselves.
As a dog lover though, I so enjoyed how the author portrayed that each dog has their own personality and how dogs in general can be such a comfort in both times of turmoil AND happiness.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and of course the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.