Ten years ago, Jackson Hardy joined the Marines, leaving behind a woman he still dreams about. When he’s called home to care for his ten-year-old nephew, no one is more shocked than he to run into Emma again. Or to still have those same feelings. But Jackson isn’t looking for love, and neither is Emma, especially not with him. His precocious nephew, though, and a retriever named Bandit, are about … about to change that.
So what if Emma Mercer is an overachiever? She has plans to get her doctorate in psychology and create a no-kill shelter for the EST dogs she trains. Which leaves absolutely no time for romance. She’s fine with a furry family–dogs don’t teach you to love and then rip your heart to shreds. But young Matty’s situation tugs at her heartstrings and there’s no way she can’t help him…and Jackson.
She may have hotter-than-ever chemistry with the soldier, but forgetting the past isn’t easy.
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Emma Mercer has a Master’s Degree in psychology and is very close to attaining a Ph.D. She wants to help people with mental health issues since as a child she endured a sheltered life with a mother who suffered from agoraphobia. She belives that Emotional Support Dogs provide a benefit to those with certain mental health issues. That’s why she opened Heart To Heart Kennel where she trains dogs to become Emotional Support Dogs. She goes out into the community to educate people about her program and that’s where she encounters Jackson Hardy. Jackson was her high school sweetheart who left her after graduation to join the Marines. Emma is doing a demonstration with her dogs at the Kingston Middle School when a man walks into the auditorium and rudely interrupts. He is there to pick up his nephew Matty. Matty’s mother, Jackson’s sister has been put into a medically induced coma following a severe head injury sustained in an car accident. Jackson got emergency leave to rush home from Afghanistan to take care of Matty. Matty listened very carefully to Emma’s presentation and decided on a plan to help his Uncle Jackson who has been suffering from debilitating nightmares due to PTSD. Jackson loves Matty and this will bring Emma and Jackson back in close contact. Man-Woman-Boy-Dog… Combination for a HEA?
In the Dog House by Traci Hall is a sweet second chance romance. The author does an excellent job of telling a story with strong emotions and yet has plenty of lighthearted moments. Emma and Jackson are both strong, very motivated characters determined to do what’s best for those they love. Jackson’s nephew Matty adds much to the story with his strong determination to get help for his troubled uncle. Traci Hall’s characters are ones to be admired. And that includes the Emotional Support Dogs Emma is training. I liked seeing the training information and the affection and abilities of these support dogs. This is a very entertaining read. Come meet some lovely characters and some very sweet dogs.
A dog lovers delight! In Dog House is a quick read dealing with Emma and her EST dog training business. Her former boyfriend, Jackson who is in town to take care of his nephew, suffers from PTSD. Jackson doesn’t want to admit that his nightmares are affecting his life, but his nephew Matty just knows that having a emotional support therapy dog will help his uncle. It doesn’t take Emma and Jackson long to admit they have feelings for each other still and the dogs and Matty bring them together in a enjoyable read by Traci Hall.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It isn’t just a sweet, feel good, second chance romance…it is much more and that is the reason I stayed late in the night and almost overslept in the morning. I had to finish it in almost one sitting. There is another story there, mental health, PTSD and dealing with setbacks also was present.
Writing style is good and all in all good reading material. I am looking forward of reading other books by this author