Lovely book for dog lovers. Emotional read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Such a lovely book.. you definitely want to read this if you have ever owned a dog

Princess Fuzzypants here: This is a book where it might be best to have a box of tissues nearby. It is moving and beautiful as it tells the story of Nathan and the various dogs of his life. There is Frisco who saved his life when he was but 3 and will forever help guide the future dogs in his life. Then Shiloh who stood beside a scared and lonely kid and helped him grow strong. Lindsay came into his life when she was lost. Not only does she introduce him to his future wife but when he returns from Afghanistan, broken and wounded, she gives him the courage to heal. His war buddy, Georgie, joins him after his service is over and the two of them do remarkable things together. Then there are the two labs who risk all to save the life of his daughter.

Each of them, when it is time, are accompanied to the Rainbow Bridge by Frisco where they await Nathan. It is a beautiful place but something will be missing until their special human returns to them. There are smiles as the story of each is told but those smiles turn to tears as each must take his or her leave. It is the thing that hurts our humans almost more than they can bear when we must go. But it gives solace to think there might be a place where once again we will be re-united.

I don’t want to give away too much and spoil the story but I will tell you the book will move you deeply. Anyone who has ever loved a dog, or a cat, or any other animal, will recognize the emotions. But be prepared. There may be leaky eyes.

Five purrs and two paws up.

Have you ever read that book which squeezes your heart and makes you miss your beloved pets who have passed on? After the first few pages, this book had me crying for the cat I have missed for the last two years. Those of us who believe in Heaven and truly love animals, we want this to be true, they are waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge.
You follow through the life of a young man named Nathan who is saved when he is only three years old by his first dog. This book takes you well into his 40's and all of the special canines who shared the journey with him. From playing college football to serving his country, he has some wonderful help along the way of the four legged kind. I always love a good animal story and this one exceeds expectations. The reader cannot help but anticipate the sadness as each dog leaves Nathan, but they all served their purpose in his life and will spend all eternity with him when the time comes. Not recommended to read on your lunch break from work unless you have plenty of tissues on hand. Thank you NetGalley, this was a sad, but pleasurable read.

If you enjoy reading W. Bruce Cameron's books you'll definitely want to read this book.
Wow, I could not put this book down. I read it all in one go!
We all have that memory of our first dog, mine happened when I was four years old.
My mother was watching a dog for someone when they were on vacation. I fell in love with this little black dog and said she was my dog and that her name was Lisa, I have no idea what her name really was but the owner let me keep her.
The day she died was a very sad day but if there is a rainbow bridge I believe she went there.
Though this is a fictional book the emotions put forth in this book by Nathan Wilkinson are very real and what we experience as dog owners.
I found myself nodding my head reading because yes so many of the things he went through we all go through as dog owners.
Dogs are part of our family just as much as people are they are our companions,guardians and defenders.
This book follows along with Nathan's life from toddler age to after he marries and has children and all the dogs he has during this time period.
These dogs share the adventures of his life,cheering him up as he bullied as a child,having courage under fire as he's called to battle and courageously a dog gives of his life to save his daughter's life when she's lost.
Saying goodbye to our best friend is so hard and I know I've shed more than a few tears over my dogs. What if this doesn't have to be the end though ?
In Rainbow Bridge, Nathan is able to be joyfully reunited, though just for a brief time with his dogs through an unexpected tragedy.
You are going to want to read this book it hits home and rings true with dog lovers.

Published October 6th 2020 by Mirador.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

When I looked up the term “Rainbow Bridge”, I was hesitant to read this book of the same title. As a “converted” dog lover, with two senior terriers, I was afraid it would be too depressing. I’m sure glad that I didn’t follow my instincts and decided to delve into this Rainbow Bridge.

From saving his life to providing emotional support and more, dogs played an important role in Nathan Wilkinson’s life. From a toddler in Arkansas to being bullied as a new kid in his Arizona middle school, to stints in Afghanistan and Iraq, and throughout his adult life, we follow Nathan and his dogs in a well-written and emotional story.

Though Rainbow Bridge is for dog lovers, Nathan’s human story is what maintains the reader’s interest. You care about the characters.

As this was a huge departure from my usual reading fare of gritty fiction, I felt that the story eventually entered the "syrupy" realm and became too overdramatic for my personal taste.

Still, I enjoyed this “feel good” story. Canine lovers are sure to feel the same.

This is a truly beautiful book and one that, if you own (or have ever owned), a dog you will relate to and feel every emotion described in its pages.. It tells the story of Nathan Wilkinson from his very earliest days as a mere toddler and throughout his life as he encounters college, marriage, becoming a father and his time spent in the military defending his country. Greatly significant during these years are the dogs that come into his life. Loving, devoted companions who shape his life, who protect and save him and his family from dangerous situations and even one, who through his own bravery and courage during combat becomes a highly regarded Canine General. The experiences that Nathan shares with his various dogs are inspirational, heart warming and often amusing but there is, as every dog owner knows, the sad fact that at some point our dogs have to leave us and it is believed that they then go on to Rainbow Bridge a place where they meet their animal friends and run freely and healthily whilst awaiting the eventual reunion with their human families. Tissues are needed for these parts of the book but there is also so much joy and hope to be enjoyed in this lovely story. I thoroughly loved my time in this book with these human and canine characters and it left me feeling even more grateful that I share my life with a special and beautiful dog. My thanks to the author for this treat of a book and to Netgalley and the publisher for a pre-release copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rainbow Bridge is pet fiction in a class all its own. Author Dan V. Jackson is clearly a dog lover, and that love is portrayed throughout the book. Jackson really captured the gamut of emotions pet owners go through during the lives of their beloved canine friends. (These emotions are not limited to only dog lovers. I imagine all owners of beloved pets go through much the same emotions.)

The story covers the fictional life of protagonist Nathan Wilkinson, from a young toddler to an older adult, with emphasis on the dogs that were a part of his life. There were several dogs throughout those years, all different, yet each loved by Nathan. Each dog has a particular reason for being in Nathan’s life, from a dog’s perspective.

If this was simply a story about a boy and his dogs, it would be a good story. However, when you add in the element of Rainbow Bridge - that place where all beloved pets wait for their masters to come and pick them up on the way to heaven - it turns into a great story.

As I mentioned, each dog is placed in Nathan’s life for a particular reason. We’re not privy to what that reason is until it is upon us. The “placement” of the dogs is done by a very special dog. Saying more would reveal spoilers, so you’ll have to read the story to find out what is so special about that dog.

I think the author really captures the typical relationship between a boy and his dog(s) as he progresses from toddler to young boy to teenager, and up through being a parent. The relationship is not always the same. I know it to be true because it happened that way with me and the dogs in my life.

If you think this is a book that will tug at the heart strings - you’re right. It does. But it tugs at all the strings, not just the sad ones. There is a lot of joy in this story, as well as the inevitable sadness that follows. If a book can really move a reader emotionally, then the author did a great job. This, too, is the case in Rainbow Bridge. I admit that my eyes watered once at some point in the story.

Technically, the book is well edited. The story arcs for the main characters were good, with a few surprises along the way. The pacing kept me fully engaged from the beginning, and each dog seemed to have his/her own climax in the story, which I enjoyed very much.

The biggest surprise to me was the ending. I never saw it coming, and I was a little surprised that the author chose that ending. However, it did put closure on the story, and I finished it as a satisfied reader.

I heartily recommend this book to all pet lovers, particularly those that have shared their life with canine companions. You won’t be disappointed!

This book is exactly what we need to help distract us from the Pandemic. I found this book to be a joy to read. I loved the warn memories brought to life as I remembered my pets that are at Rainbow Bridge waiting for me. I thought this book was well written and it had a "real" feeling to it. I would recommend this book to anyone that ever loved and lost a pet..

A beautiful emotion story of how dogs can truly save our lives. This story made me laugh a bit and cry alot. The loss of a pet is a devastating occurrence and this story details those emotions. The only part I disliked was the lengthy war tangent, while I did understand it’s relevance to the story. This part was just not my forte. The rest of the story was a good read for me.

This is a book that will make you laugh, cry and feel every emotion in between. It is a beautifully written story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. This book is a 'must read' for dog lovers. I loved reading this beautifully written book and highly recommend it. This is a book I will re-read. Thank you Mirador via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Have a very large box of tissues handy when reading this! Extremely moving description of a boy growing up and the dogs that come into his life. Having lost a dog myself a few months earlier I had hoped I could cope with reading this but had to give up halfway through as I found it just too upsetting. It is comforting in its description of ‘doggie heaven’ but was too much too soon for me. Sorry just not enough uplifting moments . You know where each chapter is going - it will end with the very emotional death of the dog! Nicely written In a simple style, no great literary classic here, but not recommended if you have lost a dog who meant the world to you - it will break your heart all over again!

Umm, bring tissues when you sit to read this book. The chapters are HIGHLY emotional but anyone who's ever really loved a companion animal or had it change their life would expect to have their heartstrings tugged, hard. Essentially, this book's story contains all the dogs (and their associated stories) during one human's life, from early childhood through adult; each dog serves a specific purpose and most will wait for him at the Rainbow Bridge when they pass.

I think this book would be great for tweens and teens and probably grandparents looking for a chapter or two to read at bedtime. Although I appreciated the theme, the writing was not my style--a bit too much Reader's Digest level for me. Marketed at the right audience, this book will go over well.

I have several pets on the rainbow bridge. I loved this book and how the character and his dog bonded. There were so many happy times and sad times in this book. I am glad I was able to read this wonderful book.

It is believed there is a 'Rainbow Bridge on the edge of heaven where our pets go when they pass from this world to the next. At the bridge, our pets are reunited with other pets and are able to run free without pain and the restraints of old age. There, the pet waits until its humanowner dies and is reunited with them. Together, they cross the Rainbow Bridge to heaven.
This book details the life of Nathan Wilkinson and the dogs who are a part of his life from childhood into adulthood. The book is beautifully written to show that our pets come into our lives at the exact time that we need them and they leave us when their 'work'' is done to run free at the Rainbow Bridge. The author shows the reader just how intelligent, loving and loyal dogs are. It pulls at the heartstrings in so many ways. From witnessing the wonderful relationship Nathan has with each one of his dogs to the devastating sadness and loss we feel when our dog dies and leaves us. You will need a box of tissues to hand when reading this book.
Despite it's sadness, what is reassuring throughout this book is the bigger picture/the message that the author wishes to portray... that our pets are here for a purpose and that they never really leave us. They will be watching and waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge.
As the current owner of an elderly dog with cardiac problems, I was immediately attracted to this book in the hope that it would alleviate some of my worries about what the future might hold. And, although, reading this book did make me cry, it was reassuring and comforting too. I would recommend this book to all dog owners out there who have suffered the loss of a dog or who have a belief in spirituality/God and the afterlife. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for enabling me to read this wonderful book that has brought me some comfort at an anxious time.

Rainbow Bridge was the perfect synergy of A Dog's Purpose and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. While the writing was simple (not overly flourishing), it fit the trajectory of the story in a way that both pulled at the heartstrings, but urged you to keep reading. The characters were extremely relatable and realistic; the descriptions of the dogs may as well have come from Fido himself. The pace of the story lent itself to be a quick page-turner. The round-about ending was heartfelt and, while I would have adored more to read, it provided heartfelt closure.

Great book! Having 6 dachshunds and a lab at the bridge
made it a sweet tear-jerker. I love my dogs so much.
This book is written very well and it is a keeper.

Thank you so much, Dan V. Jackson, your publisher, and
NetGalley for the chance to read and review this wonderful
book!

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge... All the animals who had been ill are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them..."

Rainbow Bridge by Dan V. Jackson is a wonderfully emotional tale of the life of Nathan Wilkinson and his canine companions from childhood through adulthood. It is a tale of how those canine companions shaped Nathan's life and made him the man that he is.

As heart-rending of a story that it is, Rainbow Bridge is also a feel good book about how our family pets give us joy, laughter, and unconditional love.

Five stars -- I loved it. For those readers that enjoyed A Dog's Purpose, you will love this book just as much or even better.

FTC Disclosure: I received a digital ARC from Mirador through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts.

Dan Jackson's Rainbow Bridge takes the typical tear jerking dog book to a whole new level. An epic tale of the love and devotion shown by and to multiple dogs encountered by an individual throughout his lifetime and even during his brief encounter with death. A thoughtful, poignant and creative study of the whole rainbow bridge concept as experienced by both canine and human travelers of said bridge. A great read for any dog lover.

I love the idea of this book, but found it difficult to read due to the plethora of adjectives, adverbs, and infinitive verbs, which make for slow, confusing reading. The ebook formatting was also off, with some lines having only one or two words, and there's no indentation for the first lines of the paragraphs. This can be fixed.

Amazing, this book had me smiling, laughing and crying, my emotions were on a rollercoaster!
Dogs, and in fact all pets, are more then animals they are always a part of the family and this book explains that so well.
Any one with a pet will understand this book, but I think a box of tissues might be required.
Thank you netgalley