George has lost his wife and is
very angry about it. He’s raging at the world and everything in it - the last thing he wants to be bothered with is the dog Ellen bought before she died. Dan, a counsellor with his own issues, is struggling with his attraction to unsettling new client, Atticus. And Lizzie is living in a women’s refuge with her son, but there’s aspects of her story she isn’t telling anybody. Despite the title, the dogs - Poppy, Fitz, Wolfie and Maud - aren’t a huge focus, although they are a thread running throughout.

Dog Days was an excellent read, if darker than the cover and title might lead you to expect, with characters who turned out to be satisfyingly complex, if not necessarily likeable. The three main characters - George, Dan and Lizzie - are brilliantly drawn, but so are the subsidiary characters like Betty, Luke, Atticus and Tess, as well as Lizzie’s son Lenny. Even the deceased Ellen emerges clearly.

While I did get an idea about Lizzie’s story, there was one huge shock concerning another character near the end, and this was very hard-hitting and powerful. (I think I gasped out loud, “No!!”.)

There are some heavy themes here - loss and grief, mental health, domestic violence - but it never (well, hardly ever) feels too much and there’s enough humour to lighten the tone.

A memorable read and an excellent first novel from Ericka Waller.

Dog Days is a powerful read. Be warned, there are no happy endings that you would expect there to be in the way that this book is sets them up, they come was bruising realities that make your heart hurt - which are my favourite kind of reads. This book made me feel everything. At times I felt I was grieving, I was angry, I was happy and I was sad. It was raw and it was real. There are no heroes, every character felt complex and flawed. That is serious testament to Wallers writing style which is sometimes very honest and cutting. This was what drew me in instantly. I grew to love and feel annoyed at every character, as though they were real people with frustrating realisations.

We follow three characters, each who have found a friend within their dogs, who bring them to the here and the now and live within the moment. The dogs help them survive life’s trials and tribulations. A padded paw to pass the time with. George, whose wife has died, is grieving and hates the world and everyone in it. Lizzie is taking one day at a time with her son whilst they hide out I am women’s refuge. And Dan, a counsellor, who learns openness and love and realises all too late that you can’t save everyone. George and Dan’s story hit me the most. Lizzie’s I had an issue with and found myself quite confused as her storyline felt a little bit out of step with the other two. But nonetheless, I enjoyed the three perspectives and Waller has you rooting for them all, even against your better judgement.

I enjoyed this book so much, it was beautifully written and the characters were more ‘real’ than in some books I’ve read this year.
Other reviewers have outlined the story well, so I won’t go over it, except to say that I really liked the way each chapter focussed on one of the three main characters so that we kept up with everyone as we went along.
My only complaint is that George’s character was a bit over the top, he was just too nasty to people and not ‘real’ to me - but he grew on me!
There is humour, warmth, sadness, redemption and much more in this book and I look forward to reading more by Ericka Waller

This was such a sweet, heartwarming book. I think the take home message was every single person in the world has messed up and made mistakes, but is still deserving of kindness. It explored all of the different ways that human beings can respond to pain and showed that every one is valid and can be understood with time and effort.

It’s called Dog Days because the main characters get joy, support or a reason to live from their doggy companions. Having said that, I feel like the book showed that it’s our connections to human beings that gets us through.

I really liked the fact that it showed relationships very realistically. Two people can love each other (in whatever way, not necessarily romantically) and that doesn’t mean they always get it exactly right. And when they do get it wrong, that doesn’t mean that their relationships are not legitimate or valid. I also liked the fact that there were people who expressed their feelings in very different ways and we’re learning to understand each other’s love languages.

All I will say is that Betty is a much nicer person than I could ever be and that some of George’s words to her in their big argument are so clinically intended to hurt and humiliate.

This is a book about a small community, their dogs and how their lives intersect. I really liked how Ericka Waller created characters that are unlikeable or deeply flawed but still humanizes them enough that you can empathise and care about them even if they don't always behave the way that we think they should. And the point about people overcoming their own barriers to form connections with others resonated with me so much during this
Covid era when connection is what we long for but there are external barriers.

Different stories of random strangers who share one thing in common, the love of their dogs. I enjoyed this book immensely although I preferred some stories to others. However despite this, I can't say I actually liked any of the characters (and George the widower was particularly unpleasant) although I did sympathise and empathise with them. I half guessed Lizzie's story and was pleased how her tale ended. Would recommend this as a not too heavy but not too light either read.

I think it may have been a mistake to request this book, as I am more of a cat person! I tried to get into this, but like a couple of other books I have read recently I just found some of the characters off-putting. The widower in particular was easy to imagine and beautifully written, but so unpleasant that I just really did not care what happened to him and I couldn't imagine starting to care about whether he is rehabilitated or not, it felt as though he had already wasted his chances. I was quite interested in another of the plots about a gay counsellor with imposter syndrome but it wasn't enough to keep me reading. I think I will stick to books about cats and cake in future, as the writing of the book really isn't the problem but there wasn't enough here for me. This review will not be made public as the quality of the writing is fine, it's just a mismatch.

This has been one of my favourite reads of this year. I literally laughed, cried and had my heart strings pulled in equal measures.

Dan, Lizzie and George are the main characters, however, along the way you meet and fall in love with an array of others too including of course lots of scrummy dogs! Maud the Jack Russell, Poppy the Dachshund, Fitz the Labrador and a few more along the way.

So we follow the lives of these three very different people who all have their own life challenges and are lucky enough to have the unconditional support and love of a dog. Only Dan is actually a dog lover as George and Lizzie pretty much have Poppy and Maud thrust upon them! However, it didn’t take the dogs long to win them around 🥰

I absolutely loved George, the cantankerous old git’s character was hilarious to read about, although I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of his wrath!

Dan’s story was unravelled and teased out with the colourful addition of Atticus and his pink suede loafers. Their journey brought the sort of tears that just roll down your face without you even being aware of them!

Lizzie’s story if I’m honest, was a bit slow and I found myself willing her chapters to hurry up so I could get back to George’s antics! However, towards the end I really felt for her and on reflection found her story the most complex and saddening. She certainly won me over with the addition of “Christmas” to her life. When I read the bit about Lizzie wrapping her wellies in a jumper to re-create the weight of Maud on her bed, my heart went out to her! Don’t worry though, Maud doesn’t die and I can confirm that there are no dog deaths in this book thank goodness!

I also feel a little more knowledgeable thanks to Lizzie’s love of random facts and enjoyed telling my know-it-all hubby a few things he didn’t actually know!!

Fantastically well written book with rich and lovable characters and although some very deep issues were explored, I was left uplifted and hopeful. Probably due to the positive influence felt from our intuitive and healing four legged friends. Where would we be in life without their unconditional love?

If you love dogs and a book with all the feels, be sure to pop this in your diary to purchase in March next year, you won’t regret it.

Dog Days is a beautifully written book about real people. Ericka Waller takes you right inside the heads of Dan Lizzie and George. Three very different people all feeling their way through some major bumps in the road and helping you feel too. I wasn't sure what to expect when I chose this book. I think the title drew me. Being a dog lover I just wanted to see what it was all about. I love the dogs' personalities and I love the way they know things about Dan, Lizzie and George. A't some point, even though I was enjoying peeking into their lives, I wondered where everyone was going. I was interested but not compelled and almost as soon as that happened things in their lives unravelled and I was left with oh ! oh ! and oh ! How is this going to end ! And when it did, I didn't want it too. A vew happy tears and a few sad tears were shed.

This was an enjoyable read, following the lives of three very different people who live in the same town.

The book is written so each chapter focuses on a specific character. I like this style of writing as it allows the narrative to develop each character, while still progressing the story at a steady pace. The character development was well written and explored some important issues, such as bereavement and domestic abuse.

There were a few twists in the story that I guessed, however it was still an enjoyable read that I would recommend.

Well this was a surprise! From the title I’d expected something light, but this is a book packed with real and vibrant characters and there’s nothing light about it at all. George has lost his wife of 50 years, and he finds himself in a world where nothing makes sense to him. Lizzie and her son enter a women’s refuge, but despite the help and support of the manager, she’s not ready to tell the police her story. Dan is a counsellor who suffers from imposter syndrome, convinced that one day his boss will realise he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Into their lives come Betty, Luke and Atticus and their small worlds are transformed. This was such an emotional read and I was convinced I knew what was coming, but no! This was a beautiful insight into a group of people struggling to find their place in the world – surviving sudden loss of a partner/loss of a child, discovering their sexuality. So moving, so sad, so funny (at times – Star Wars references and George’s grumpiness in particular) all tied together with the dogs who offer unquestioning loyalty to the people who walk and feed them.

George, whose wife had died was left with a much unwanted dog called Poppy. I just adored George, a typical grumpy old man who was so used to his wife doing everything for him.

Dan the, anxious and OCD tendancies, counselor has Fitz. He is meant to be helping Atticus but ends up being counselled by himself.

Lizzie walks Maud, scared of everything meets Luke whose dog is Wolfie.

All different people. All have dogs in common. You often get a feel for a book within a chapter or two. This book gave me a good vibe. I loved this book, flitting from one fabulous character to the next, all intertwined. The characters are so likeable and I found them funny, in a weird sort of way. Lovely story about friendship and they happen to have dogs too. Perfect lazy afternoon reading while snugged up with a dog.

I really enjoyed this book which reminded me of a more accessible version of Sigrid Nunez's recent award-winning novel. Very charming and engaging with rich characters. A gem.

This story was not what I was expecting at all, I was prepared for a lighthearted story with dogs involved (obviously, the title gives that away a bit!) but what I got was a quite dark and depressing book. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t all complete misery it was just quite deep for me and not the kind of book I normally go for. The 3 main characters are all likeable in their own ways, although George took a while to warm to at first, but the book just didn’t grab me unfortunately. Such a shame as I was really looking forward to it and wanted to like it so much. Some very important issues touched upon in the story though and very well written. Just not for me unfortunately.

Yes, this was a fine read. But when I read the synopsis I expected a uplifting story of course with dogs. But it wasn't. But it was ok.
3 stars

I liked this book but I did mark it down a star as it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. After reading the synopsis I expected some life dramas but with dogs...an uplifting read, but that isn’t what I got. Dog days was amusing in the parts about grumpy George who turned out to be my favourite character, however (and spoilers ahead) I didn’t expect suicide (and a particularly heart rending one) or spousal abuse. I felt pretty depressed after reading it, although as a positive, the issue of depression, suicide and especially abuse of a husband, are not usually subjects which are tackled. It was well written and I did want to read it through to the end so I still gave 4 stars.

Dog Days was a surprising read - unputdownable, a term I don't use very often! I expected a light-hearted tale of dogs and their owners and was pleasantly surprised to find depth and emotion aplenty. The three main characters, grumpy old man George, vulnerable and brittle Lizzie, scared, kind Dan and their canine friends, take turns each chapter for their story to unfold. There are serious subjects being unravelled - grief, domestic abuse and coming out - but there is also plenty of humour. Dog lovers will love the doggy characters, but there's so much more here for everyone. A must-read!

My favourite genre of book these days is 'person accidentally ends up with dog and grows to love it' so this seemed like my sort of thing. There are three stories told in the book. One is about a man called George who has just lost his wife and finds himself with this dog he never wanted and this was my favourite element of the book. Dan is a therapist who ends up dating one of his patients (which I thought was a bit of a 'yikes' moment) and Lizzie is a woman living in a refuge with her son who walks other peoples dogs for them. I enjoyed some of the stories more than others and the novel was a lot darker than I expected it to be. Overall, it was quite a good read and I got through it fairly quickly.

Dog Days was a surprise of a read, I was expecting something light-hearted but instead it was a deep and emotional book.

The story follows three main characters George, Dan & Lizzie and I thought I was going to be reading about them all meeting and becoming friends in a dog park or something similar, I was very wrong. Yes there were dogs involved in the story but it was so much more than that.

Without giving too much away, this book touches on suicide, depression, domestic violence, grief and homophobia. It highlights how not everything in life has a happy ever after, people and their emotions/actions are complex and not straightforward. A great book if you like reading about messy lives without fairytale endings like I do.

I liked this a lot more than I thought I would!
It was also much deeper and darker than I anticipated and had a few surprises.
The reason I've not rated this higher is due to the fact I found George really insufferable. I know we are supposed to empathise with him but he comes across as twisted and nasty.
I also feel that some things were never explored further or explained, for example, it doesn't make sense to me that Dan pursued a relationship with a patient (former or otherwise) with no professional repercussions.
Overall, I enjoyed this and felt that the dog illustrations were a lovely touch.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.