Cover Image: A Dog's Hope

A Dog's Hope

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Member Reviews

It’s not often I’m moved to tears by a story, but this made me cry. It’s written in an honest, heartwarming style, from Buddy, the Golden Retriever’s viewpoint and Toby’s point of view, the boy and later man he befriends. The beginning is poignant and believable, I’ve witnessed how heartbroken dogs can be when they lose someone they love. I’ve shared a beautiful friendship with three dogs in my life, so far, one of which I’m still lucky enough to have.

The story is simple but effective. How the devotion of a dog, heals a broken child and gives hope to a broken man. The ending is so sad, but uplifting and makes you realise how lucky you are to have friendship and love in your life.

If you’ve ever shared your life with a dog, you will be affected by this story. If you haven’t, read it, and realise what you’ve been missing.

I received a copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Get your box of kleenex ready for this beautiful and heartwarming story. If you liked The Art of Racing in the Rain or similar stories you will absolutely love A Dog's Hope. It's one that will stay with you and you hope to see on the big screen. Bravo!

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From the very first page I knew I was going to cry with this book. My cousin always says that a dog chooses a person, and after reading this book I have no doubt.

This heartwarming story is about the special bond a boy has with his dog. Toby, a teenager who moved to a small town from Seattle with his mom, has a hard time adjusting to his new life. When a stray dog finds him, the connection is immediate.

You will laugh out loud and cry with this book as you read how much a dog can help him human. A definite must-read

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Heartwarming with 😪 tragic notes: a best book about best friends🐕

4.5-5🌟 stars
Keep hold of your tissue box for this one! Toby goes through some rough times and Buddy, the stray who adopts him, remains loyally present through the joys and sorrows of adjusting to a new town, estrangement from his father, delight in a new sport, young love, tragic loss and rebuilding his purpose and future in the aftermath. The story is full of emotional highs and lows, and a companion canine that keeps pulling Toby back to focus on living his present to the fullest measure.

Author Casey Wilson does a superb job evoking the scent, sights and feel of Riverside, the small town where Toby and his mother settle after his parents' divorce. Buddy and Toby's times together are lovingly described.

The story is told alternating point of view between Toby and Buddy and, for me, this produces the only jarring note. The dog's thoughts are so detailed, often psychoanalytical, that they seem more the musings of a well-educated human than a dog! I understand the rationale for giving Buddy such a complex vision of his friend and their world, but it just felt a bit off at times.

What made this story stand out was its emotional depth. I was truly wrapped up in the drama of Toby's life, Buddy's unswerving devotion, and the tension created by Buddy's loyal vigil through rain and shine waiting for a return when Toby's family have all but abandoned hope.

Thanks to publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

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I really enjoyed this beautiful story of unconditional love and a bond bwtween a young boy and his dog. Set in Washingtom, Toby Fuller is rescued from feelings of loneliness and hopelessness by a golden retriever named Buddy who finds him on his way home school one day. The beautiful relationship between these two when they needed each other most was very well written. I loved that the story was so touching and heartbreaking at times, but the author did a great job of the character development and moving the story plot into a really interesting turn towards the second half of the story. This is very well done and I highly recommend this story.

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4.5 stars

It is often said that dog is man’s best friend. Well for Toby and Buddy, that is quite an understatement. Buddy, a stray golden retriever, appeared at just the right moment in Toby’s life. He was having a rough time after moving to a new town with his mother, and his father, whom he could never seem to please, was now virtually out of the picture. But while Toby struggled to acclimate to his new home, he found hope and purpose through Buddy. I loved how strong their bond was, and it happened almost instantaneously. It was as if Buddy knew Toby was meant to be his boy, and his loyalty and unconditional love was so heartwarming.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Even when tragedy struck, there was still some good that came from the situation. It was definitely an emotional read, but so worth it. Highly recommend!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3205537502

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It's so refreshing to read a good story without bad language, violence or sex. This is not only a good story but a healing for the soul and it teaches us much about being human, being kind and how to overcome grief, unhappy relationships within families and the error of judging too harshly and the pain but strength of letting go. Buddy is an abandoned dog who is found and then cared for and loved throughout his life by a young boy called Toby. Toby faces many of his own problems especially his difficult relationship with his father. When his parents divorce, he and his mother move to a different area and Toby starts a new school, becomes a very talented baseball player and meets the girl of his dreams. I found the baseball references went a little over my head - being female and living in the UK where baseball isn't a popular sport I wasn't able to relate or fully understand this aspect of the book. I did love the family drama, the very likeable characters of Toby, his mum and Natasha the girlfriend. When tragedy strikes the story becomes much more gripping and I found the latter part of the book especially moving. Buddy, the dog, didn't play as big a part in the book as I'd imagined but nevertheless, those chapters 'narrated' by him were lovely and very thought provoking. Overall, a sweet and gentle book with many life lessons within its pages. My thanks to Netgalley and Bookoutre for a pre-release copy of this book in exchange for my review.

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Casey Wilson's novel A Dog's Hope had me crying at page one. It evoked tears a few more times throughout the book and I had a great big ugly cry. Anyone who has ever owned that one special dog that comes along once in a lifetime will totally understand this book.

Toby and his friend Buddy were indeed special. Buddy was a rescued dog that understands he has been united with someone who loves and needs him. Buddy unselfishly returns that love. Toby's parents have split up and along with Buddy he finds a love of baseball, his first love and a couple of lifelong friends at his news school.

This story fills your heart and empties your tear ducts. It is such an emotional book with many ups and downs and life lessons. Just like our own lives.

Every penny you spend and every moment it takes you to read A Dog's Hope is money and time well spent. Thank you Casey Wilson for a beautiful story!

I received this book from thes author for a fair and honest review.

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A Dog's Hope is an endearing, heartwarming and poignant story about the special bond between a boy and his dog. Toby is a teenager, floundering in a new town, when Buddy finds him, creating a relationship between boy and dog that is so very special. Their interactions, their loyalty and devotion to each other, brought tears to my eyes. I loved that the story is sometimes told from Buddy's point of view--don't we all wonder what our dogs and pets are thinking about? This wonderful story of hope, healing, trust, and friendship will touch your heart.

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A beautiful story about a dog and his bond with his human. I loved Buddy, loved seeing the world through his eyes.

A dog limping out of the bushes, a broken boy filled with anger soon found themselves as best mates. This was the dog's Buddy's story and how he waited for his best friend, never giving up hope, believing it in his heart that his best friend would be back.

My first book by author Casey Wilson, each word written by her had a wealth of emotion in it. The love between Buddy and Toby had me swiping my eyes frequently. The author had written a story so poignant that I read it with my heart in my hands. It bespoke of a bond far beyond the realms that we know of, a bond between two hearts.

I loved how both of them supported each other. Their love and caring for each other was palpable. Buddy's support without judgment as only a dog could give, made Toby grow up and understand the situations. Buddy's insights about life caught my heart strings. They were clear and so true, his heart could feel more than I knew. He was sensitive and brave and was the only one who understood Toby completely.

I loved how the author made me long for a dog of my own. Everyone deserved a Buddy in their lives. A beautiful story which would stay with me for a long time, until the next book of the author.

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Sweet and equally sad book about a boy, his dog,growing up, a military life and effects on family. A little about PTSD without calling it that. Written partially from the point of view of the dog, the boy, then the man was definitely different from other books I've read. I think a good book for YA group.
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.

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I flew through this book, it was absolutely fantastic. Not my usual genre but I fancied something light hearted and meaningful. The book was really well written and the characters were so well described, I felt I knew them. Buddy reminds me of a friend's golden retriever and the way he was described was perfect. Overall, a wonderful book which will stay with me a long time. Highly recommended.

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The bond between between a boy and his dog is unbreakable. Toby Fuller was a disgruntled teen before Buddy, the Golden Retriever enters his life. Through Buddy's devotion, Toby begins to believe in himself and his abilities. Embracing life's challenges, anything is possible with his 'Buddy' at his side. Despite hardships and facing a devastating detour to his future, the bond between man and his best friend can survive even the most insurmountable loss.

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I will leave a review on Amazon or B&N on Mar 6, 2020

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley and the publisher, this is my fair on honest review.

It takes a lot for a book to touch my heart, and pull emotions from me that is why many books others give 5 stars I only give 4 stars. This book was one of those special books that ripped the emotions from me. I smiled, laughed and cried lol mostly cried, yet I loved this heart wrenching book. The love between a boy and his dog can be simply riveting at times. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.

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After sobbing my way through the first 5 mins this book made me smile throughout. A wonderful story of a boy/young man and his relationship with his adopted dog buddy. I story of love, loss and friendship. It will make you laugh and cry but will leave you with a smile on your face

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This is an enjoyable book. The relationship between a person and their dog often runs very deep. This story explores that from the viewpoints of a boy and his dog., which I found made the story even more emotional.

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What a heartwarming, heartbreaking story. If you love dogs, this is a must read book. It will make you cry, laugh and cry again. The bond between a boy and his dog is the strongest bond around. I don't have words to express how beautiful this book was. Please read this book! I've already pre-ordered my copy from Amazon, yes it's that good. Thank you Bookouture via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book, and Thank You Casey Wilson for writing such a beautiful story. All opinions expressed are my own.

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First off I want to thank @netgalley, @bookouture & @caseywilson for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you love pets read this book. I am completely demolished, this was the most heart warming, sweet and beautiful book I've read in a while. It grabbed me and just stole my heart.

I am a sucker for pets so for sure I couldn't pass up the chance to read this one. I didn't think it would affect me this much. Throughout the whole book I had this ball in my throat, even had watery eyes (it's never happened!). This says a lot about the quality of the writing and the quality of the characters. What I love was the double POV, the then which was Buddy (the dog) and the now which was Toby (his master). I can't even express my feelings, just read it!

This was a beautiful novel about love, hope, friendship, loyalty and forgiveness. This one will give you all the feels guaranteed. Don't miss out !

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This captivating story is about the soulful relationship of a boy and his dog. They meet when Toby is a new boy in the rural town of Riverside in Washington and ‘Buddy’ has been an outcast by his family, deserted and left homeless. This matters not a jig to Toby. Buddy, the gorgeous but dirty golden retriever, named by Toby upon his adoption, has the most alluring brown eyes Toby has ever seen. They are magically drawn to each other from that first glance. They are the ideal partner for each other: soul mates and devoted to each other.
Toby has made bad choices in his teenage years so far. His family has been fractured and wrenched apart. Now a single parent family, Toby and his Mum seek a peaceful life instead of the life they once lived where neither of them could ever match up as a wife and son, Toby, his Mum and Buddy settle in to their new home. Toby’s life takes a different trajectory. He discovers he has a real talent for bowling and becomes a key member of the school team. His self-esteem is rising high; at last he has decent friends, a loyal companion that escorts him everywhere and a happy and doting mother who has built her new life on solid, stable foundations. The past is for the history books and Toby relishes his new life as much as his mother does.
Buddy is well cared for in his new home and has at last found his ideal owner. His stomach is full; he is given treats, has a cosy bed and is groomed regularly. He is fussed over and treated like a king. In return he devotes himself to Toby, adoring, faithful and always guarding Toby from danger. They go everywhere together; Buddy is obedient and walks to school, waiting for Toby until he leaves school. Life couldn’t be more enchanting.
Then tragedy and with it both Toby and Buddy’s lives are changed forever. The days are dark and filled with sorrow, the nights endless and life feeling meaningless, once again. Toby doubts that he will ever recover. This is the story of a teenage boy changing into a man and his admirable, beautiful, loyal dog. There will be shocks to come, tears to dry and welcome smiles soon back on your face in this powerful story of relationships, unconditional love, enduring loyalty, hope, determination and strength of mind.
This review practically writes itself. If I could give this enchanting story more than 5* I certainly would. It is an outstanding story, elegantly written and with beautifully created and relatable characters. It was literally exquisite. The story was told from the heart and with great emotional maturity. I loved every page of it.
I received this book through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Bookouture, all in return for an honest review. Thank you most sincerely for my copy. I recommend it as a lovely read for animal lovers and those who like emotional stories written by a very talented and compassionate author.

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This is a story of soulmates. A dog is wandering around, dirty, limping and is looking for someone special. He sees Toby walking home from school one day and a friendship is born.

Toby is frustrated with his mother. It is his sophomore year in high school and he has moved yet again. His anger and his outbursts have made life difficult for them both. His parents have divorced and his mother has made the best decision that she could. No doubt Toby never realized that a dog would end up saving his life. Toby calls him Buddy.

This then and now story is delivered in both Toby and Buddy’s viewpoints. From the very beginning I needed a box of Kleenex. It was impossible not to understand and absorb the emotions that this story was trying to convey. Casey Wilson has written a remarkable book. A Dog’s Hope does a spectacular job of conveying the most intense feelings and insights that are sure to affect everyone that picks up this book.

With my toppling TBR rereads are not something that I generally have time for. However, this book is something incredibly special, and so I will read it again and again. This book becomes my first favorite of 2020.

I am not a dog person, so I almost passed on this book when it came up for review. I am so glad that I didn’t! I was invested from the very start and the closer and the closer I got to the end I was bawling. This story was so compelling that I have already reread sections of it before writing this review. I am eager to read Ms. Wilson’s next book, A Dog’s Chance, when it is released.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

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