Published by Lake Union
Date: 4th May 2021
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Thirteen-year-old Abby Hubble lives in an unhappy home in the Sierra Nevada foothills where her father makes life miserable for her and her mother, Mary. One day Abby witnesses a man dump a litter of puppies into the nearby river. Diving in to rescue all seven, she knows she won’t be able to bring them home. Afraid for their fate at the pound, she takes them to an abandoned cabin, where all she can offer is a promise that she’ll be back the next day.
To grieving widower Elliot Colvin, life has lost meaning. Looking for solace, he retreats to the hunting cabin he last visited years ago, before his wife’s illness. What he discovers is not at all what he expected: seven puppies and one determined girl with an indomitable heart.
As Abby and Elliot’s friendship deepens, Abby imagines how much better her life—and the puppies’ lives—would be if her mother were married to Elliot instead of her father. But when Abby’s father moves the family hundreds of miles away, Abby and her mother must decide how long they’re willing to defer happiness.
Catherine Ryan Hyde has written another delightful, heart warming story. Its full of kindness and courage on the part of most of the characters.
Abby is one perfect person herself. When she sees a bag that seems to be alive thrown in the river she follows through, rescues them and then ensures that they are safe and cared for and that takes some doing for a thirteen year old. She can’t take them home because she has a father who is controlling and lacking in anything to do with fatherhood.
Elliot is a middle aged man, he has just lost his wife – it was a good marriage and he is so sad and lost. Spending a little time in the country at his cabin, his life and Abby’s life and the puppies intersect.
Mary – Abby’s mother is in a very unhappy, controlling relationship. Her husband is mean and really is the pits. When Mary discovers Abby’s puppies and Elliot she begins to see how things could be different. She gathers courage as time goes by. Plus Abby is so plucky, it must have come from somewhere, and there is a lovely relationship between mother and daughter.
The puppies of course provide a lot of joy and life, although seven puppies. I can’t even imagine looking after them! But Abby is nothing but determined.
So great characters, the plot moves along and a good steady pace and it wasn’t long before I was wishing for the very best for Abby, Mary, Elliot and the puppies.
Author Bio: New York Times Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit.
I like Jill Mansell but this one just feels old in terms of condition and I don’t think I’d enjoy reading it for that reason. So out it goes. I got it at a book fair so no loss. I have enjoyed some of Jill Mansell’s books before.
How Hard Can it Be? is a Maybe, so back on the shelf. It’s about a fifty year old finding herself. It may have a rom comedy aspect, not sure and if I don’t like it after twenty or so pages I’ll send it on. I’ve never read Allison Pearson. I picked this one up cheap at the bookshop.
I like the blurb on the back of Dune Road, its set in Connecticut and is about someone with new lease of life after divorce. I will certainly give this one a good go. I did get it at the book fair, but still in reasonably good condition. I have liked some of Jane Green’s books previously.
It’s the Little Things about three people who survive the Boxing Day tsunami and the years that follow. Another book fair buy. I will give this one a read as well. I don’t think I have read an Erica James book before, not sure.
This is one I picked up at the bookshop, has a $34.99 price tag! Why did I buy it? No idea! It’s about a woman who has lost her son in an avalanche. I’ll try this one too, the money outlay is enough to persuade me, but the story itself sounds readable. I haven’t read this author before.
From Mary from 
Charlotte by Helen Moffett comes recommended by Shelleyrae from 
Wrong Alibi is by Christina Dodd and I picked it up because Susan Elizabeth Phillips recommended it. And it didn’t hurt that Elizabeth from 
This Side of Murder wasn’t exactly recommended but the second one in the series was loved by Katherine from 
The Four Winds is the most recent book by Kristin Hannah. It’s set in the 1930’s and explores the Depression era in the Great Plains on a farm.
