Cover Image: Dog Days

Dog Days

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Member Reviews

'Dog Days' is a lovely book about the power of dogs and people to overcome their difficulties, almost in spite of themselves. It follows three damaged people, each dealing with life's challenges. who just happen to have dogs.

I particularly liked George, old, widowed and cantankerous, whose late wife insisted on getting a dog against George's wishes. George is a bit like Ove from Fredrick Backman's 'A Man Called Ove' but with much more of a potty mouth. I mention his sweary tendencies not because they bother me in the slightest, but because many people in search of a heart-warming, life-affirming novel seem to get worked up about such things. If you don't like swearing, stay away (and know that you'll have missed out, big style).

Dan is a therapist who can't bring himself to tell anybody that he's gay or to get out there and actually be 'actively' gay. And Lizzie is living in a shelter for battered and abused women with her son.

All the characters are interesting. All their side-kick characters are super too. George's interfering friend Betty is adorable. And of course, the dogs are wonderful too. The writing style is a touch atypical for this genre and feels more considered and thought through, perhaps more 'literary' than the norm. I can imagine the author took her time over writing this, polishing the odd sentence, finding a few more good analogies and turns of phrase, and I think it was time well-spent.

It's a delightful book and highly recommended.

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This is a delightful book- exploring humanity in various guises. Each of the three stories is a complete story on its own, and I was absorbed in each one as their turn came and went. For all it was different stories, this was a smooth, blended read that felt natural. The links were the dogs and the Beacon where they all went walking, but there were links between each of the stories. Strong characterisation. I felt for Dan, not being able to see what Atticus was trying to tell him, and although I'd guessed some of Lizzie's story, it was no less heartbreaking.George and Betty added some humour amidst their sadness, and I could visualise them clearly, sparring with each other. In fact, the story was visual, I could picture all the characters through their stories emerging, not by longwinded description but by being brought to life. And through each story, the role the dogs played in the lives- equally strong characters. #netgalley #dogdays

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Dog Days is such a beautiful, thought evoking read that I absolutely adored!.

In this book, we meet an array of unique, intriguing characters, the first of which being George. Poor George is in a rather dark place in his life following the death of his beloved wife. He can’t shake off the overwhelming anger he feels about the unfairness of the situation, and his little desire to curb his moody ways, and instead opts to stay at home venting his anger at the television.

Next we meet Dan, who is such a warm, loving character that you feel a fondness for instantly. Dan has OCD, and in his line of work as a counsellor, he is often putting everyone else before himself. He also owns a beautiful labrador named Fitz, who has been his closest confident for quite some time.

And then,;last but certainly not least, there is Lizzie. She is a woman who has had a really tough, often unthinkable experience and finds herself living in a women’s refuge along with her son Lenny. Her body has many scars to show the awful life she has escaped from, but the mental scars will be with her forever. When Lizzie is asked to walk the refuges terrier Maud, she cannot possibly begin to imagine the many ways in which this will change her life.

This book had me captivated from the very beginning. The author has such a wonderfully refreshing writing style that makes the reader fully immersed in the world in which they have created. The characters are all so wonderfully portrayed, and each of them possesses their own personalities and life stories to share as this book progresses. I certainly found myself going through a range of emotions throughout this book, and I can truly say it is a story that will stay with me for quite some time.

Beautifully written, heart warming and completely and utterly captivating to the end, I adored this book and would certainly recommend it to everyone!.

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I enjoyed this book it filled a need. I was looking for something light and fluffy - a romance with a bit of bite to suit my mood. It is a book which starts this way but becomes much darker.

It has a number of issues in it. These are related to different characters and the book is told by three of the characters. Each of these characters has a link with the others but these only slowly develop. The characters are well drawn each hiding something and then eventually coming clean. The ‘baring of their souls’ is painful for all the characters. Lizzie is the only character I had any idea about what was going to happen.

The book underlines the importance of finding help from friends and professionals and friendships are very important.

There are a number of dogs in the book. For some people they will be much bigger characters than I give them credit for. As a non pet owner ever I have often not understood or misunderstood the pull pets have on their owners. So for me the dogs did not influence my enjoyment of the book. For others this will not be true. What had more influence on me was the setting of Brighton, Rottingdean and the Beacon. I could see this drama happening in this landscape which was so well described.

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Dog Days was full of characters who were all dealing with something. It starts off as a feel good, lightly humorous novel but is interspersed with feelings of heaviness and sadness as it sensitively explores mental health and other themes.

Although the dogs don’t play leading roles, they provide spirit, friendship and a reason which is something so many of us with furry pals can relate to. They are loyal companions to:
George, a grumpy fart, who’s not coping with the death of his wife
Lizzie, a highly intelligent ex-teacher, who is running away from something
Dan, a gentle therapist, who has tried to hide himself and his desires for as long as possible

Aside from their furry friends, our main protagonists are also accompanied by side characters who add so much richness and individuality to the three plot lines and as I sit here writing this, I actually find myself missing some of them. That’s never happened before. What’s happening to me?

Ericka Waller has created a heart warming, sensitive novel that will make you chuckle but will also tug at your heart strings.

Thank you @netgalley, @erickawaller & @randomhouse for providing me with this arc.

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George is a grumpy old man mourning the death of his wife, who left him with a dog he didn't ask for. Lizzie has run away from her husband, she is now living in a shelter for women with her son Lenny. Dan is a therapist, who shares a flat with his dog Fitz, his life is turned upside down by Atticus, one of his patient.

I absolutely loved reading the story of these 3 characters and their connection with their dogs, Dog Days is one of those books that will make you laugh but also cry. Even though I kind of guess what was coming for two of the characters, I still enjoy the storylines.

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Dog Days is a joy. The attraction was the furry friends and Poppy, Fitz and Maud lived up to my every expectation and delivered the incredible bond and positivity from canine companions.

However, the real surprise was the main protagonists. Dan,
a therapist struggling with OCD and his sexuality. Lizzie who finds herself in a refuge with her son. And George who is struggling after the loss of his wife. Each character has depth and I enjoyed following their journey. It wasn’t the light read that I was expecting and was all the better for it (although there is plenty of warm humour threaded throughout the book). Definitely one I will be pushing into people’s hands.

With thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC.

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George is a grumpy, belligerent old man who has just lost his wife. She has left him notes around the home and a miniature dachshund puppy called Poppy. But George doesn’t want a dog, he wants to fight everyone who is trying to help him. Dan has OCD but has channelled his energy into his career as a therapist. Afraid to acknowledge his true feelings, his most meaningful relationship so far is with his dog Fitz. That is until Atticus walks into his life. Lizzie is living in a women’s refuge with her son Lenny. Her body is covered in scars and she has shut herself off from the world. She distrusts dogs, but when she starts having to walk the refuge’s dog, Maud, things begin to change. As three strangers' lives unravel and intersect, they ultimately must accept what fate has in store for them with their dogs by their sides.

I'll admit - I was drawn to this book purely due to the fact I'm a dog lover and have a dog. This book is so emotionally written and powerful. the author has done an amazing job. The book and character development are outstanding, you resonate with the characters so much, you understand their problems and grief.. You see the goodness and friendship between them and it is heartwarming.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

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Truly delightful 😊 Lizzy, George and Dan were amazing in their own ways and I adored them all, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry throughout maybe both in the end but I honestly thought this was a total hidden gem of a book, not my usual genre but I’m sooooo glad I picked it up as it was a true pleasure to read, maybe I need to read more like this because it was just perfect, can’t fault it, have a read of it you’ll not be disappointed 5 stars for sure

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Quirky, fresh, different, this is full of energy and introduces us to lots of characters that seem totally unconnected to begin with. In fact the only connection is dogs which feature heavily. I'm not a particular dog-lover, more of a cat person, but I enjoyed this and was very surprised at how things turned out. Don't assume anything about anyone is a strong message from this book! Sad, happy, funny, annoying, worth a read.

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Surprisingly lovely. I admit that I had expected something lighter, more fluffy, and definitely more about the actual dogs, but instead it's a gentle but deep dive into what makes us human - love, grief, fear, shame, pride and joy.
The story tracks along nicely, allowing characters to develop at an easy pace, drawing the reader in deeper and gradually becoming more invested in each one - and each one turns out to be full of surprises. A happy ending, or at least the promise of happy endings, leaves us content.

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Plot: This novel is about those small but life-changing moments that only come when we pause to let the light in. It is three people learning to make connections & finding joy in living life off the leash.
Funny & full of heart, you know that feeling you get after the first few chapters that you have picked up a book you are going to absolutely adore? ...this was that kind of book for me! The writing style is authentic & poignant.

"I know you have a beautiful soul under all that pomp and bluster, but others might not be so generous. Don't burn all your bridges..."

People: Centering around three characters George, Lizzie & Dan on the same timeline we follow them & their journeys. My opinions of them changed throughout but they each have their own unique personalities & you can't help but feel for them all.

I particularly loved grumpy old man George, some of the things he said had me giggling.

Their only connection is their dogs and what a fabulous bunch of canines they all are!

Pace: This is a medium-paced read, with an ideal mix of laughter & tears (definitely have some tissues handy!). Life isn't perfect, it's messy & complicated but with small acts of kindness, there is always hope - a sentiment that is captured perfectly in this compelling debut, you won't want to miss.

Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Doubleday Books & Anne Cater for sending me this title. All opinions are my own.

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Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Be aware there are trigger warnings of grief, self harm, homophobia, domestic abuse and suicide so if you’re not keen on those topics in books I would avoid it. It is a lovely story, with beautiful writing, but it’s always good to be aware of the content.

The book follows three people, George- an elderly man who has recently lost his wife, Dan- a therapist who doesn’t really know who he is, and Lizzie- a woman hiding from reality. We follow them as their lives change for better and worse.

George hates his dog (a sausage dog his wife bought before she died) Dan adores his dog, and Lizzie’s dog isn’t really hers but they have a connection anyway.

I own a dog myself, and I know how much a dog can help mental health so in some areas this book had really relatable moments.

It’s a really well written novel, the writing flows and I liked how it flipped between all the characters. They didn’t have a connection but at some points their lives would intersect.

There were twists, there were shocks, and there was a moment that made me cry.

I really enjoyed this book and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.

4.5/5 stars.

A brilliant read that shows just how much having a dog can help a person through their darkest days.

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A delightful insight into what's going on with other people's lives, and how a dog's love can have an impact.

George's wife has died; before she left him for good she bought a puppy which he has no interest in. If he can't have Ellen, then he doesn't want to bother with life. His neighbour Betty tries to help but, let's be honest, help is the last thing George wants. Dan is a counsellor with his own issues in the form of OCD; no matter how good he is at helping his patients he doesn't seem able to help himself, but he has Fitz, his Labrador, to help him through. Lizzie and her son are living in a women's shelter having left her partner; Lizzie has plenty of scars but really doesn't want to talk it through or share details about her previous life but she likes to be helpful so when the refuge's overweight terrier, Maud, needs walking, Lizzie steps up. The only thing these people have in common is having a dog in their life - will the four-legged friends help each of them?

At the end of the author's acknowledgements, Ericka Waller says 'Dog Days is the sum of everything she has learned about love, loss, and the healing power of dogs', and I couldn't put it better myself. This isn't a novel to take anything at face value. Each person is struggling through life for varying reasons; each character is skilfully crafted and before long I was totally immersed in their tales. As the narrative switched from one to the other I was always eager to keep reading and find out what happened next. Like their owners, each dog has it's own traits and personality and these add to the enjoyment of this book. A very appealing read and one I'm happy to recommend to anyone interested in the lives of others - well, isn't that what makes us pick up a book in the first place? A rewarding read, with several shocks and surprises along the way which gives me to recommend this one, and happily give it 4.5*.

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Dog Days is a laugh out loud one moment, sob into a hankie the next, kind of story. For any dog lover it is a must read, as we all know the power of love and healing that our four legged friends bring, and for each of the characters in this book, their furry friends are their comfort and solace when all else fails.

We have George, a recent widower who is furious at the world and determined to hate Poppy the new puppy his wife brought home before she died.

Dan, confused by the world and his own place in it, has Fitz who accepts him just as he is.

Lizzie, hiding a dark secret, borrows Maud, who loves her when she can't love herself.

There are also Wolfie and Lucky to make up the rest of the pack, belonging to Luke and Betty respectively, and as the story builds they find their lives richer and intertwined with one another's.

This isn't a cheesy, love conquers all story. There is sadness a-plenty, but despite all, there is hope, and there is love in abundance. I adored every word.

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🌿BOOK REVIEW🌿

Dog Days by Ericka Walker

TW// abuse, suicide, death, homophobia

Dog days follows the lives of George, Dan and Lizzie who are all learning to open up to other people in their life.

George suddenly lost his wife to cancer and is struggling to cope with her loss. Before she died, she wrote letters for him and bought a dog to keep him company! Dan is a counsellor with OCD that spends his life helping other people, but a new patient forced him to turn his focus inwards. Lizzie is staying in a women’s refuge with her son. She is isolating herself from everyone and doesn’t like to talk about the past. Each of these individuals also has one very special connection- with their dogs!

This is a very character based book and it’s difficult when you don’t quite connect with them. In some ways I wonder if they were meant to have unlikable traits on purpose! At times I did want more development and reflection, especially from some of the secondary characters.

I think this was a great plot about dealing with difficult moments in life and how pets can make such an incredible difference. I know myself that my dog helps me when I’m struggling with my mental health so I could really resonate with this story!

I also really enjoyed the three different perspectives and seeing the lives of our three main characters intersect.

I will put a word of warning out and say this is a heavy storyline and I’ve put a few trigger warnings in my review as I wasn’t aware that this novel would cover such difficult topics.

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The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog' MK Clinton

George has Poppy but he never asked for her and he certainly doesn't want her. What he does want is his wife back but that is not possible.

Lizzie has Maud which is just who she needs in this hard time. A dog doesn't argue or hurt you.

Dan has Fitz who is the perfect sounding board for a counsellor even more mixed up than his patients.

We all know the saying you shouldn't judge a book by its cover and this is definitely the case with Dog Days by Ericka Waller. Even from reading the blurb I was expecting a lighter read. Each character has more to deal with than just entangled dog leads and mislaid poo bags. Instead George, Dan and Lizzie have heavy issues to deal with in their own individual way. What unfolds is actually a raw and gritty read that does not shy away from anything and my opinions of each character changed continually as I got to know more and more about them. It was certainly not the feel good read I was expecting originally. As for the canines the writer's unique style gave them their own characterisation, which I have not seen done before so at times I forgot they were not actual humans being talked about.

I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered this book was a deeper and more emotional read than I first thought. So if you are looking for a cute and cuddly read you are barking up the wrong tree.

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You know how sometimes you hear about a book, and you get so excited immediately because you know it’s going to be just your thing? Then you get hold of the book, but put off reading it because you worry it won’t live up to your expectation of it? Well, that’s what I’ve been doing with Dog Days but I am thrilled that it was in fact even BETTER than I was expecting!

We follow the lives of three seemingly unconnected people - George, a recently widowed cantankerous old bugger, Lizzie, a mother who’s living in a women’s refuge with her beloved son, and Dan, a young counsellor who falls in love with his patient but isn’t ready to go public with a man yet. Despite all the dogs, this is really a story about what it is to be human, and I loved the fleeting moments where our characters crossed paths.

This is a story about the mistakes we make, the fears that hold us back, the wariness of letting people in - of love, loss and friendship. The dogs are really the balance to the flawed humans - they are endlessly kind and trusting in contrast to our characters, and they seem to know what the humans need long before they do. (Being a labradoodle owner with the surname Fitzgerald I obviously had a soft spot for Fitz, but I’d happily have them all!).

I loved the compassion that the author showed to so many difficult subjects - from OCD to autism, from losing a partner to suicide - there are some heartbreaking moments but they are all written with kindness and understanding.

That’s not to say this is a story without laughs - you can’t throw this many dogs and the world’s grumpiest old man together without raising some serious smiles! I definitely snorted more than once at some of George’s comments - he is such a brilliant character to read.

I loved every second of this novel - I laughed, I definitely cried, and I was already so emotional that I read the acknowledgements and then cried some more! This is the truth of what it is to be human in all its messy, complicated wonder - but don’t worry, the dogs are there to take the lead...

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I’d like to thank Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Dog Days’ by Ericka Waller in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

George isn’t coping since his wife Ellen died eight days ago leaving him in sole charge of dachshund Poppy. Dan is a counsellor who’s struggling to help his clients and whose only worthwhile relationship is with his yellow Labrador Fitz. Lizzie has been taken in by a women’s refuge but in return has to leave its security to take their dog Maud for walks. Three people whose only connection is dogs.

I’m a great animal lover and have read many novels featuring dogs and cats but I’m sorry to say I didn’t enjoy ‘Dog Days’ and found it a depressing story of humans who just happened to have responsibility for dogs. The characters were stereotyped into what the author thought they should be which I didn’t much like, although the occasional humour did lighten it a bit. The sensitive issues were handled well but made for uncomfortable reading and after getting through half of the story I decided I wasn’t interested enough to continue and find out what happened at the end. This is purely my opinion and I’m sure there will be many readers who will disagree with me.

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This book just wasn't for me. It really should have been as I am the biggest dog lover!
However, I just couldn't connect with the characters. I feel like the author tried so hard to make the dogs loveable, she forgot to make the human characters loveable too!!
I felt it dragged in places, and would have been more engaging if it was a faster pace and slightly shorter.

Didn't enjoy this at all - gutted as I thought this would be a sure fire hit for me - but i just couldn't connect.

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