Must Love Dogs meets My Not So Perfect Life in this hilarious romantic comedy about a dog trainer who’s a master at managing her four-legged friends, but when it comes to her love life…let’s just say she still has a lot to learn. Cora Bellamy is a woman who thrives on organization. She’s successfully run her own dog training business for years, perfectly content with her beloved rescue pitbull … with her beloved rescue pitbull as the main man in her life. She’s given everything to her business, and her lack of social life (or slobber-free clothes) has been completely worth it.
But all that changes when she meets Charlie Gill, the hottest client she’s ever had. The only problem? Charlie’s taken. Luckily, Cora has a new friend–the sweet, lovably geeky Eli Crawford. More loyal than a retriever, he’s always there to help Cora with her problems, including her love life. That’s why she’s shocked to realize that even as things start heating up with Charlie, there might just be a more-than-friends spark between her and Eli, too.
As Cora’s life gets more tangled up than a dogwalker’s leashes–and as she prepares to audition for a dog-training TV show that may irrevocably change her entire life–she has to figure things out before it all goes straight to the dogs.
Charming, witty, and warm-hearted, Life on the Leash inspires you to cheer for every underdog looking for love.
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Life on the Leash is a witty celebration of dogs, romance, and taking chances. Cora is a heroine to root for even in her most complicated moments, and whether you have a dog, or just appreciate them from afar, this book will make you want to head to the nearest shelter, either to adopt or volunteer. You’ll want to curl up with your favorite furry bundle and devour the whole thing in one cuddly sitting.
Life on the Leash is the novel you’ve been waiting for all year – a strong, funny, big-hearted heroine to cheer for in life and in love, plenty of “I’ve-been-there” dating moments, and adorable, endearing, sometimes mischievous dogs to love on every page.
Charming and heartfelt, Life on the Leash will delight readers. The perfect book for dog lovers!
A bighearted and witty debut from a writer with remarkable insight into the minds of dogs and those who love them. The winsome cast of characters will have you hooked on Life on the Leash from the first page.
I loved this book so much. There were times that I teared up especially when it came to the dogs in some situations. But this book was incredible. This could be made into a Hallmark movie.
What a fun book! This lighthearted read is perfect for dog lovers and romantics.
***I received an ebook copy from the author at no cost***
This book is a true gem. It’s comical and romantic and I loved it.
The storyline is original and I loved the reality TV aspect. The characters were fantastic. Cora cracked me up and she was such a relatable character. Even though the characters went through their individual struggles (it wouldn’t be a good story if they didn’t), the overall tone of the book is happy and enjoyable. I also love that the author drew on her own personal career when she was writing this book.
I also loved how animals had a central focus in the book. I’m a big fan of four-legged fur kids, so the dogs were just as enjoyable as the human characters for me!
I’m a first time Schade reader and I will definitely be back to check out more.
Life on the Leash is the perfect book if you’re looking for a fun, easy, light-hearted read to brighten up your winter.
Four stars to this novel!
Playful, lovable, and heartwarming, Life on the Leash is the definition of feel-good fiction. Victoria Schade’s irresistible debut will have you cheering for dog trainer Cora, and the cast of charismatic characters, furry and non-furry. Add this to your to-read pile immediately!
Victoria Schade is a new author on the scene. She’s written a couple of books about dogs, Bonding with Your Dog: A Trainer’s Secrets for Building a Better Relationship and Secrets of a Dog Trainer: Positive Problem Solving for a Well-Behaved Dog, but Life on the Leash is a fiction book and I really liked her voice and writing style.
CORA BELLAMY is a dog trainer who believes in treating dogs humanely while teaching them to do what it is you want them to do. She spends so much time with her dogs that her social life has suffered. Her last relationship didn’t end well, so she’s thrown herself into her business. Most everyone she works with loves her and her methods. But while dogs are man’s best friend, she begins craving a friend of the “man” variety.
When hot and successful CHARLIE GILL enters her life via his adorable dog, she is smitten. He says the right things, flirts and kisses her better than she’s ever been kissed before. But Charlie isn’t single and he keeps stringing her along, promising there will be a day when he leaves his live-in girlfriend.
ELI CRAWFORD is a good man with morals who knows how to treat women. While he really likes Cora, he accepts that he’s been friend-zoned. He’s there when she needs help and when her dogs need rescuing. Cora seems blind to the goodness that is Eli. She’s so wrapped up in the handsome Charlie that she can’t see all that Eli has to offer. That is until Charlie’s light goes dark and Cora sees Eli for all that he is; loyal, handsome, and kind. Unfortunately for Cora, Eli is done being used.
While I enjoyed Cora’s story and her desire to have the world adopt her views on humane training, I questioned the love triangle in this book. Cora is a woman with a heart of gold who would never dream of hurting an animal so I had a hard time accepting that she would willingly enter into and continue a relationship with someone who had a girlfriend. So while this added angst to the storyline, and at times tugged at my heart-strings, I was also conflicted by the apparent contrasting morals her character displayed.
I loved Eli! He was quirky, sensitive and had a heart of gold. His self-confidence was sexy and his self-preservation was endearing.
While reading Life on the Leash, I found myself laughing one minute, wanting to throw my Kindle across the room the next. Overall, I enjoyed the story and hope to read more from Victoria Schade in the future.
Even cat lovers will get wrapped up in this delightful story of girl, girl’s best friend, girl’s best girlfriends and a couple of guys. Cora’s canines in training will steal your heart. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next!
Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review
What a completely sweet and adorable story is Life On The Leash.
Victoria Schade is a new-to-me author, however she won’t be for much longer. I will be reading more of her in the future.
She has given us a refreshing mix of humour, romance and flirty fun.
Cora being a dog trainer did make me miss my old girl who crossed the rainbow bridge last year, however the dogs made me remember what a terror pups could be lol.
I liked how the romance sort of played second fiddle to the dogs in this one too. I mean, yes, Cora is looking for love (in all the wrong places) however it might just find her where she isn’t looking.
Some of the antics of the dogs and their humans had me in fits of giggles. And I just wanted Cora to get everything she wanted in life.
I really enjoyed Life On The Leash.
Life on a Leash is an adorable chick-lit type book featuring a lovable, smart and kind heroine who adores dogs. The book gives the reader insight on her life, and the decision to try out for a reality show about training dogs, and the one client who has a girlfriend but makes the heroine feel something special that she needs. Cora Bellamy is someone we can all sympathize with, and one you root for. Life on a Leash is the type of book that would be perfect as a TV movie. It’s full of happy and smiles.
If you love everything about dogs, and people who care of them and want them to have wonderful forever homes, this book is a must read. Also Cora’s HEA is everything wonderful and grand.
I picked up Life on the Leash expecting a romantic comedy, and while it was funny and there was some romance in the story, it was definitely more of a women’s fiction/chick lit story. Even though I didn’t get what I expected going in I still very much enjoyed Life on the Leash!
I basked in watching Cora grow and mature, even as an adult we are still continually growing and learning about ourselves and learning that we need to surround ourselves with people that will lift us and build us up, instead of people that want to hide us and tear us down. Honestly, until I sat down to write this review I didn’t truly understand why Cora’s ex-boyfriend was even mentioned in the story, but I realize now that it’s to show the reader how far she has come in her personal life.
The author of Life on the Leash, Victoria Schade, is a professional dog trainer, and it shows in her writing, you can sense her knowledge in dog training and you know that she is an expert in that field. In fact, the relationship between the dog and owner is what really set this story apart for me, and I’m sure I will think of it for years to come.
Life on the Leash had me smiling and truly talking to the Cora as I read along! I wanted to yell at her to stop and pay attention. Tell her she is making a bad decision, she didn’t listen to her best friend, so I’m sure she wouldn’t have listened to me even if she could hear me. This easy and fun summer read that you will find yourself invested in! I can’t wait to see if Victoria will publish more novels in this genre!