There are some things in life that only a dog can teach you. A poignant, heart-wrenching, but ultimately uplifting novel about the unbreakable bond between a boy and his dog. Perfect for fans of A Dog’s Purpose, The Art of Racing in the Rain and Marley and Me.In the farming town of Riverside in Washington, Toby Fuller is feeling more alone than ever. Nothing Toby did was ever good enough for his … alone than ever. Nothing Toby did was ever good enough for his father, but he never expected his father to leave, to abandon him and his mother forever. He loses hope, until a scruffy golden retriever called Buddy follows him home from school.
Though he’s struggling to walk, Buddy matches Toby step for step, never taking his eyes off him, as if Toby is all he needs in the world. And from that day on Buddy never leaves Toby’s side.
Buddy shows Toby a loyalty that he has never known. But then disaster strikes and Toby’s life is changed forever. Will Buddy be able to give Toby the strength he needs to carry on?
A tale of how unconditional love can bound into your life when you least expect it, giving you hope in the darkest of times.
What readers are saying about A Dog’s Hope:
“Perfect for fans of A Dog’s Purpose, The Art of Racing in the Rain and Marley and Me. This book drew me in from the first page… I honestly shed tears reading this wonderful book, I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially dog lovers.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“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 can’t even express my feelings, just read it!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“A totally heart and gut-wrenching novel… I read the last couple chapters through tears as it touched me very deeply. I absolutely recommend this page-turner! You will not want to put it down!” The Write Review, 5 stars
“Wow!… This story is one of heartbreak, love, loss, forgiveness and overcoming!… We can learn so much from a dog and this book captured that perfectly!” I Have Lived a Thousand Times, 5 stars
“Omg! Omg! Omg!… This book just breaks my heart into thousand pieces.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“If I could rate this 10 stars, I would!… This book drew me in from the first page… I definitely shed some tears reading this. If you love dogs and are looking for a book with REAL meaning, grab this one!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“I so so so totally, utterly loved this book… If you are wondering why people love their furry friends so much, you should read it and maybe you will understand why.” B for Book Review, 5 stars
“Beautifully written story that will remain with me for a long time… I definitely required tissues at hand to get through… several times the intensity required me to put the book down which made it a wonderful, memorable story.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“This review practically writes itself. If I could give this enchanting story more than 5* I certainly would. It is an outstanding story… Told from the heart… I loved every page of it.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“From the very beginning I needed a box of Kleenex… This book is something incredibly special, and so I will read it again and again. This book becomes my first favorite of 2020.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“A story that will show you how amazing the bond between a human and a dog can be… Amazing and breathtaking… A very beautiful story.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“A heart-warming story that has heart-wrenching situations… It made me cry but also made me happy… It was more than just a read, it was an experience…” Goodreads reviewer, 5 starsmore
I’m a sucker for any story that includes a dog and I’m so glad I dived into this one!
3.5 stars! Very emotional story with young Toby finding so much heartbreak through his growing years. His one faithful companion is a dog named Buddy. Buddy is that heart dog most of us dog lovers have had in our lives. I enjoyed the read, I can’t resist a dog story. Heartbreaking yet heartwarming.
What a touching story of a boy (Toby) and his dog (Buddy). The story is partially told from the dog’s point of view which was unique and delightful. The story flows from past to present and you will be drawn into the tale from the first page.
Your heart will swell with love and break with sadness. You will wait, holding your breath, wondering how Buddy handles life when things turn tragic.
This is a heart warming, emotionally moving, painful, and poignant read. The tears were streaming down my face and sobbing out loud. This is one of the best books I’ve read recently.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutre for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend this book! You need to put this on your to-be-read list.
Written with all of the things you can’t buy; but, all of the emotions you can feel, “A Dog’s Hope” by Casey Wilson touches on a lot the hardships we deal with in life with grace…often seen through the eyes of a dog named, Buddy.
Such a captivating tale! So moving and touching!
The relationship between the dog, Buddy, and his person, Toby are full of such love, it is beautiful.
This intensity can sometimes even hurt immeasurably.
It’s surprising what is on the other side of that pain.
Hope.
This is a story to wrap yourself up with!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for fair and honest review.
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.
If I could rate this 10 stars, I would! I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. This book drew me in from the first page. It does go from Now to Then throughout the book and sometimes it is from the dog’s point of view and sometimes from Toby’s, but it all works. So much insight and so many points that can be applied to anyone’s life. You can read the synopsis, so I won’t repeat that, but I definitely shed some tears reading this. If you love dogs and are looking for a book with REAL meaning, grab this one!
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.
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.
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from NetGalley and the publisher, this is my fair on honest review.
It takes alot 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 heartwrenching book. The love between a boy and his dog can be simply riveting at times. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.
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.
“Sometimes you get mere moments with a person, sometimes we get a lifetime, but someone can change your life in the briefest fragment of time, and having that is better than nothing. It’s better than being alone forever.”
This is the Heart of this beautiful story.
It can be a person or animal that can change a life. Sometimes it’s both.
A dog looking for his soul mate and a teen in a new small town attempting to find where he will “Fit”.
Anger, heartache, love, and friendship is present through each page. As the story moves forward we see resilience, acceptance, heartbreak, and devotion in the purest form!
A quick read, and a well written novel that I promise you will need a box of tissues at times! Terrific!
Ahhhhh- Not only was this a beautiful cover, but a truly poignant story written on the pages between……so moving and emotionally stirring!
Casey Wilson has written a totally heart and gut wrenching novel with “A Dog’s Hope”.
Buddy was such a loyal companion to Toby and is with him through it all. I loved watching their relationship grow.
I read the last couple chapters through tears as it touched me very deeply.
I absolutely recommend this page turner! You will not want to put it down!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for fair and honest review.
It’s not always a person finding a dog but sometimes it’s the dog finding it’s person. That’s how this story happens. It’s a connection between a wandering dog, Buddy, and a mixed up, confused and often angry boy, Toby, that this emotionally filled story is about. Casey Wilson has filled the pages of this book with a heartwarming story that has heart wrenching situations. She adds a lovable and faithful golden retriever to make this a story of unconditional love between Toby and Buddy.
Being a dog lover myself since I was a little girl and knowing that Casey Wilson is, I knew this was a must read book for me. I loved the two different POVs in this book. Buddy, the golden retriever and Toby, the young boy. It starts with the “Now” and Buddy’s thoughts as he faithfully reminisces about his unbreakable bond with Toby. Ms. Wilson so perfectly brought me into Buddy’s thoughts of how he felt about his human soulmate. From the anticipation of throwing a ball: “There’s no time to think when you’re staring into your best friend’s eyes, waiting for the next ball” to the trust and “knowing” he will be back: “I know Toby wouldn’t leave me. He told me he’d be back and he keeps his promises”, there is a connection with Buddy right away. He won my heart. The story then goes to Toby’s POV and the “Then”….the struggles Toby has of making changes in his life from the conflicting and turmoiled relationship with his father to the finding of his true love in his life, Buddy is the constant companion and always there for him. I turned the pages feeling as if I were there experiencing the love and connection between a dog and his boy. “His gentle eyes remind me I’ll never be alone. He’s a faithful companion who never tires of being near me. He’s an excellent listener and sometimes, the way he looks at me, I think he understands me even when I don’t say a word.” A dog’s intuition for his person. What a feeling!
This story gave me so many emotional ups and downs. It made me cry but also made me happy. I felt Ms. Wilson’s heart the story was written from. A heart for the love of dogs and their loyalty, faithfulness and love. I could feel myself looking into Buddy’s eyes and seeing his pure love for Toby. I know that feeling as I look into the eyes of my own loyal and unconditionally loving dogs. This book is one any dog lover will so appreciate. I most certainly do. Anyone who has had a “best friend” in a faithful dog. There is nothing like that bond. This book took me intimately into that place through the heartfelt words from an author’s heart. It was more than just a read, it was an experience.
I want to thank Casey Wilson for the honor and privilege of reading an ARC of this beautifully written story. All opinions and thoughts are my heartfelt own. I absolutely loved this book!
A Dog’s Hope was my first book by Casey Wilson, I really enjoy reading this story a lot not only because I love dogs but also because it was very well written with the right dose of love, angst, laugh and hope.
Toby is new in town, he and his mother are starting a new life far away from the constant anger and mood swings of Toby’s dad. Toby’s Tired of the constant changes in his life, new people, new school and new teachers, it’s like he has to live the same story over and over again but life has a way of changing things when we least expected and this time not only the family will grow but will bring a new member that will change their lives forever.
Toby’s life changes so much when Buddy came into his life, making him more aware of the meaning of friends, wanting to belong, to be part of a team. I feel like Toby was more afraid when he arrived in Riverside but with time his character started to evolve more and become less attached and open to the new changes and new possibilities life was bringing him.
A Dog’s Hope is a story that will show you how amazing the bond between a human and a dog can be. The friendship, the company, the love between these two was amazing and breathtaking. Buddy not only was a great companion he was always helping Toby to keep his emotions in check, not letting him get in any trouble but at the same time showing him the beauty of trust and letting go.
Overall it was a very beautiful story, the characters were great, buddy was amazing!! it will leave you with a sense of love, peace and wanting to be even closer to your dog.
What a great read! This delightful story is told in two voices, that of the dog, Buddy & Toby, the boy. Toby’s parents are divorcing as a result of his father’s mental health issues following a career in the special forces. Toby feels angry & resentful of what he perceives as his father’s lack of interest in him. His mother, Karen, feels that Toby’s best chance to have a normal, happy childhood & adolescence is to move to a small town, away from their current home in Seattle. They move & settle into a much slower & traditional pace of life, but Toby is still troubled. One day he comes across a dog, Buddy, who follows him home & becomes his closest friend.
This is not your typical, predictable boy & his dog story. It moves back & forth in time & between narrators to illustrate just how critical Buddy is to Toby’s life story. It was well written, heart warming & strongly recommended on my part.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author Casey Wilson & the publisher Bookouture for granting my request for a copy of this ebook in return for my completely honest opinion.
Heartwarming
Absolutely one of the best stories I have read in a long time where an animal is involved. Absolutely brilliant writing.
If I could rate this 10 stars, I would! I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. This book drew me in from the first page. It does go from Now to Then throughout the book and sometimes it is from the dog’s point of view and sometimes from Toby’s, but it all works. So much insight and so many points that can be applied to anyone’s life. You can read the synopsis, so I won’t repeat that, but I definitely shed some tears reading this. If you love dogs and are looking for a book with REAL meaning, grab this one!
Could have been written by a real dog! His devotion and belief in his master is so like a dog – faithful forever!
Well written.may have been written a little too much along an expected story line. which was a little disappointing for me.