I still like to have a good old fashioned book in my hands when I read sometimes, but there are some conveniences to e-books that just can’t be beat! I just finished reading “House Trained” by Jackie Bouchard and thought it would make such a great gift for a friend of mine that I won’t be able to see this Christmas. I know she has a kindle, so I can send this book to her as a Christmas gift without worrying about getting it in the mail in time!
I can’t tell you just how happy I was to finally have a chance to sit down last Sunday afternoon and finish this book! I had been reading it a bit here and there, but I sat down at just the right time with it, because I had come to a part where I just could not put it down.
I’m going to share a short review of the book, and hope that maybe you have a friend that you could send this to at the last minute as well. Or maybe you want to treat yourself to some quiet time during or after the holidays and sit down and read it yourself!
House Trained by Jackie Bouchard
Copyright 2015
Fiction (Fido-friendly fiction, as the author refers to it!)
325 pages
House Trained is a novel about Alex Halstad, a childless interior designer and dog mom. As you can imagine, an interior designer is probably quite precise about how they want their house to look! So when Alex’s husband’s teenage daughter – who he never knew he had – shows up at the door with her own daughter in tow, Alex’s life is turned upside down.
Alex is already dealing with her own struggling business, so when daughter and granddaughter move in with them, her life really feels out of control. Alex chose never to have children of her own, so having a child in the house is a brand new experience. Her Labradoodle Marie embraces the new arrivals, but Alex struggles. Will she learn to be more accepting like Marie?
I especially loved this book, since I also chose to be childless (I do have a stepson through my marriage and now being a grandmother is a new experience for me), so I can relate to Alex. I might not have made some of the decisions she made….you might be surprised what she does when her hubby’s ex and mother of his child shows up….but it’s interesting to see how her decisions play out in the end.
As usual, Jackie injects her wonderful sense of humor into this story, and it’s also a story about the dynamics of other family relationships. I both laughed and cried throughout the book. There’s a pretty good twist at the end that took me by surprise too! I just know you would enjoy it as much as I did.
House Trained
About the author: Jackie Bouchard writes humorous and heartwarming stories about women and the dogs that affect their lives. She has lived in Canada and Bermuda, but currently lives in San Diego with her husband and dog Rita.
You can read my reviews of her previous novels here, both of which would also make wonderful Christmas gifts for the reader and dog lover in your life:
You can also follow Jackie on her blog, Pooch Smooches, her website, Facebook, and Twitter.
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy of Jackie’s novel at no charge with nothing expected in return. It was my choice to review it and all opinions are my own.
*Affiliate link. If you purchase this book through the link, Wag ‘n Woof Pets will receive a small commission, but you will still pay the same price.
I’m not going to read the review until after I’ve read the book. I just bought the Kindle edition of all 3 of Jackie’s books. (I never have had the time to read them before now; but I intend to change that in the new year.)
I bet you are going to love all 3 of them! Enjoy!
As always I am behind. I am reading Rescue Me Maybe right now.
I was pretty behind too. Jackie sent me the book way back in October! I think I now have 3 other books waiting to be read too. 🙂
OMD, I literally JUST finished reading this book and I absolutely LOVED IT!!!!! I can honestly say it is one of the best books I have read in a long time!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
We love Jackie’s books – she is super talented. Great review too!
I am adding this book to my wish list for sure!
I love sitting with a good book and my Cocoa Bean by my side!! I am going to read this soon!!
Sounds like a great gift for your friend! I still need to read her latest!
Love Jackie’s writing – great idea for a gift!
Oh, thank you so much for the lovely review! And for recommending the book as a gift! 🙂
I’m SO glad you enjoyed it!
That sounds like a great gift idea for a dog lover.
I love all 3 of Jackie’s books.
Mom read one of her other books and really liked it. Mom isn’t much of a reader and doesn’t have much time to read, but maybe one day she will read this one.
I need to pick up her newest book. She is terrific!
Mom gots all our stuff. But we will be sure to tell her about this too
Happy Holidays
Lily & Edward
That book does sound really good and you just got to fall in love with that cover!
Great review and even greater book(s) We reviewed and LOVED all of Jackie’s books as well, great gift suggestion!
that’s a super gift idea… and for reading together a “real” book is always better… no one can use the touchscreen at the wrong time (seems the pup reads faster than me lol) and the slobber problem is better to handle with a real book, specially when reading-snacks are involved :o)
Oh, it’s so funny you said that! When reading on my tablet, Luke has been known to stick his nose on there (to turn the page I guess – you’re right, he must read faster than me!). It sends the tablet into a tailspin and I have to shut it off or re-boot it! LOL